as in reviving
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
as in increase
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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
as in fortifying
to make able to withstand physical hardship, strain, or exposure
required weeks of physical therapy to strengthen his arm enough to pitch for the team again
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in deepening
to make markedly greater in measure or degree
encouraged the boarding school students to strengthen their ties with the community by doing public service
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in bracing
to prepare (oneself) mentally or emotionally
strengthened herself for the moment she'd have to tell her friend that she had lost the borrowed necklace
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Alyssa Morin, InStyle, 9 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
The strengthening of academic freedom paralleled the largest historical expansion of the world’s capacity to undertake research on science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine, or STEMM.
—David P. Baker, The Conversation, 18 Nov. 2025
Leslie Hoyle Guerra, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 Jan. 2026
His work focuses on expanding access, strengthening global engagement, and creating practical pathways that can help institutions connect with learners across borders.
—Jason Phillips, USA Today, 9 Jan. 2026
Financial software developer OneStream is set to go private again in a move aimed at strengthening its position amid the AI boom.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 9 Jan. 2026
Four years later, 81% of voters approved a measure strengthening the commission’s powers and independence.
—Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 9 Jan. 2026
The exec added that competitive advantage will come from the ability to credibly prove performance and environmental impact, while simultaneously reducing operational risk and strengthening customer confidence.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 8 Jan. 2026
And many of those apprentices — in skilled trades, electricians, laborers, carpenters — are already at work strengthening and building the physical foundations of our state.
—Sacramento Bee Staff, Sacbee.com, 8 Jan. 2026
In early 2025, the European Investment Fund committed €25 million ($29 million) to the firm’s most recent fund, strengthening its position as the largest independent film and television investment fund manager in Europe.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 8 Jan. 2026
According to the National Weather Service, a strengthening cold front is making its way across the country toward Nashville.
—Diana Leyva, Nashville Tennessean, 6 Nov. 2025
Noun
Plus, check out more strengthening, hair-growth treatments, below—starting at just $9.
—Alyssa Morin, InStyle, 9 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
The strengthening of academic freedom paralleled the largest historical expansion of the world’s capacity to undertake research on science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine, or STEMM.
—David P. Baker, The Conversation, 18 Nov. 2025
Verb
Mothers Against Drunk Driving was founded in 1980 by Candy Lightner and has succeeded in strengthening DUI laws across the nation.
—Leslie Hoyle Guerra, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 Jan. 2026
His work focuses on expanding access, strengthening global engagement, and creating practical pathways that can help institutions connect with learners across borders.
—Jason Phillips, USA Today, 9 Jan. 2026
Financial software developer OneStream is set to go private again in a move aimed at strengthening its position amid the AI boom.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 9 Jan. 2026
Four years later, 81% of voters approved a measure strengthening the commission’s powers and independence.
—Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 9 Jan. 2026
The exec added that competitive advantage will come from the ability to credibly prove performance and environmental impact, while simultaneously reducing operational risk and strengthening customer confidence.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 8 Jan. 2026
And many of those apprentices — in skilled trades, electricians, laborers, carpenters — are already at work strengthening and building the physical foundations of our state.
—Sacramento Bee Staff, Sacbee.com, 8 Jan. 2026
In early 2025, the European Investment Fund committed €25 million ($29 million) to the firm’s most recent fund, strengthening its position as the largest independent film and television investment fund manager in Europe.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 8 Jan. 2026
According to the National Weather Service, a strengthening cold front is making its way across the country toward Nashville.
—Diana Leyva, Nashville Tennessean, 6 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strengthening
Noun
-
Chance of lightning increases as a thunderstorm approaches and peaks when the storm is overhead.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Hopper saw a 40% increase in air travelers, adding its Disruption Assistance feature – which allows users to instantly rebook if their flight is delayed or canceled, or get a refund – overnight following the DOT’s announcement.—
Nathan Diller,
USA Today,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Propose a clear boundary with a sibling (or close friend) to stop resentment from hardening.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Those upgrades involve hardening vulnerable infrastructure, improving outage detection and restoration, and preparing the grid for increasingly extreme weather.—
Chaya Tong,
Austin American Statesman,
31 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
The ensuing film combines soul with CGI, fortifying the lofty reputation Pixar had already built by 2001, just six years into its theatrical run.—
Chris Snellgrove,
Entertainment Weekly,
26 Dec. 2025
-
Instead of fortifying their position, the Pats watched while a few competitors stocked up around them.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
20 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
But there were bright spots, too, including awe-inspiring concerts; trips to different cities and countries; and deepening friendships over card games, meals and dancing until the wee hours.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Anjula Acharia is deepening her partnership with Warner Music Group, launching a new management entity under the 5 Junction umbrella less than a year after establishing the label.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Wisconsin is bracing for a weekend snow event that could make travel tricky across parts of the state.—
Brandi D. Addison,
jsonline.com,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Packing for winter trips used to mean bracing myself for clothes that simply didn’t fit right.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Look for signs like the cat stopping purring, stiffening, thrashing their tail, or hissing.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Afterwards, a squaring solution—a powdery mixture of water and a gel-like batter used in the decorative cake business—is applied to the inside of the hat’s crown to act as a stiffening agent.—
Eric Twardzik,
Robb Report,
3 Oct. 2025
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
-
Picture books of colorful flowers and plants, as well as seed catalogs, can be wonderful sources of memory enhancement.—
The San Diego Union Tribune,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Nov. 2025
-
The new mining vehicle features engineering enhancements designed to overcome the challenges of the seabed.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Strengthening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strengthening. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share