strengthening 1 of 3

Definition of strengtheningnext

strengthening

2 of 3

noun

strengthening

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verb

present participle of strengthen
1
as in hardening
to increase the ability of (as a muscle) to exert physical force lifting weights every day will eventually strengthen your muscles the army makes new recruits run for miles in order to strengthen them

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
3
4
5
as in stiffening
to make more harsh, uncompromising, or severe a bill was introduced to strengthen punishments for hate crimes

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of strengthening
Noun
Rosemary oil—one of the key ingredients in the mask—is like hair-growth gold, but ceramides, jojoba, and keratin are also present in the strengthening and thickening formula. Kaitlin Clapinski, InStyle, 10 Feb. 2026 It is highly valued for scalable, high-volume production, particularly in energy storage and composite strengthening. Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 26 Jan. 2026 Hydrolyzed rice protein helps defend against split ends, while sea buckthorn oil and squalane cushion the cuticle, so strengthening does not lead to stiffness. Jailynn Taylor, Allure, 31 Dec. 2025 It’s also made with a strengthening blend of amino acids and violet pigments. Jenny Berg, Vogue, 26 Dec. 2025 After one of the driest Decembers in decades, Northern and Central California began to see rain again on Tuesday as a strengthening series of storms was set to soak the region, forecasters said. Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 16 Dec. 2025 The Spartan Village student housing tower also represents a key strengthening of the bonds between San Jose State and downtown, Staedler said. George Avalos, Mercury News, 3 Dec. 2025 By Friday morning, snow chances will increase across Montana, where an upslope snow event may develop under arctic high pressure to the north and a strengthening low over the central High Plains. Kathryn Prociv, NBC news, 26 Nov. 2025 However, amid reversion of funds and future fiscal changes, locations like The Hive become necessary for community strengthening, engagement and hope. Miami Herald, 20 Nov. 2025
Verb
With Bloomingdale’s distancing itself from the competition and strengthening its luxury and contemporary profile, the challenge is clear — how to sustain the momentum and build upon last year’s gains. David Moin, Footwear News, 18 Feb. 2026 South Dakota state senators revived and approved a bill Tuesday that was described by its sponsor as strengthening parental rights, but was criticized by opponents for its potential to undercut protections against abuse and neglect, delay urgent health care decisions and encourage lawsuits. Meghan O’Brien, States Newsroom, 18 Feb. 2026 Our immediate focus is on maintaining high operational performance while strengthening our project pipeline. Ashley Sharp, CBS News, 18 Feb. 2026 Parkinson has done a good job of strengthening Wrexham without doing too much all at once. Graham Ruthven, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2026 The country is increasing investments in strengthening sovereign digital capabilities in its 2026 state budget, Pakosta added. Kai Nicol-Schwarz, CNBC, 18 Feb. 2026 The awards honor businesses, organizations and individuals for their leadership and service and strengthening the local economy and community. Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 18 Feb. 2026 Beyond strengthening existing routes, the city and county should partner with the state to explore rapid transit and extend free bus service beyond the city’s Charm City Circulator. Zac Blanchard, Baltimore Sun, 17 Feb. 2026 The collaboration between Fincantieri and Generative Bionics also holds strategic importance in strengthening European technological sovereignty by drawing on expertise developed across research institutions and the advanced industrial supply chain. Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 12 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strengthening
Noun
  • Infections during pregnancy also pose severe risks for mothers who are not vaccinated or immune, including miscarriage and a tenfold increase in death due to pneumonia.
    Jennifer Berry Hawes, CNN Money, 21 Feb. 2026
  • An average increase of 26 minutes of sleep per night.
    Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 21 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • To get the hardening benefit, the metal must be untainted.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 16 Feb. 2026
  • Those workers will focus on repairing broken lights, hardening lights to prevent copper wire theft and clearing the backlog of deferred cases.
    Melissa Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The five-day trade fair draws Black businesspersons from dozens of states fortifying Jackson’s assertion that economic development is the way to Black power.
    Darcel Rockett, Chicago Tribune, 17 Feb. 2026
  • If healthy, Burrow (5-3 as a starter in 2025) will help significantly elevate the Bengals, as will a free agency and draft devoted to fortifying the defense.
    Mike Jones, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Prince William has deliberately distanced himself from Prince Harry, deepening a rift that remains unresolved six years later.
    Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 16 Feb. 2026
  • Political divides within countries are deepening, even among long-standing allies.
    Alan H.H. Fleischmann, Time, 13 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Now the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic are bracing for blizzard conditions and airlines are already trying to ease the storm's impact on operations.
    Mike Snider, USA Today, 21 Feb. 2026
  • More than 570 students and dozens of staff are in limbo, awaiting answers and bracing for a possible sudden closure.
    Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 21 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The Czech Republic’s new government will seek to transform the defense industry into an engine of the nation’s export economy as the flagship auto sector faces stiffening competition, Karel Havlicek, minister for industry and trade, told us.
    Suzanne Lynch, Bloomberg, 27 Jan. 2026
  • These include stiffening of blood vessels, changes in heart muscle function and impaired ability of the cardiovascular system to respond to exertion.
    Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 16 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Cayenne owners will be able to track charging via their My Porsche app and are able to create pre-conditioning settings to meet their individual needs.
    Eileen Falkenberg-Hull, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Dyson also claims that the Omega nourishing collection delivers up to 94 percent stronger hair, compared to using non-conditioning shampoo on straight hair.
    Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
Noun
  • Digital enhancement software enabled them to lighten and sharpen resolution to also provide a clear facial description of the driver.
    Bryan Hendricks, Arkansas Online, 15 Feb. 2026
  • The analyst is positive about ConocoPhillips achieving its 2029 free cash flow target, supported by its four major growth projects (NFE, North Field South, Port Arthur, and Willow) and $1 billion in cost reductions and margin enhancements.
    , CNBC, 15 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Strengthening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strengthening. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.

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