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
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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
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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
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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
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5
as in stiffening
to make more harsh, uncompromising, or severe
a bill was introduced to strengthen punishments for hate crimes
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in reviving
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as in increase
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of strengthening
David Clarey, jsonline.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Steady strengthening was also forecast over the next couple of days, hurricane center forecasters said.
—Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2025
Fernand will track north-northeastward to the east of Bermuda with modest strengthening expected, limited by some vertical shear.
—Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Aug. 2025
Amorim’s men finished 24 points adrift of fifth-place Newcastle United last season, with several notable rivals spending the summer strengthening.
—Carl Anka, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2025
This type of explosive strengthening is happening more frequently as planet-warming pollution tips the scales toward hotter oceans that fuel powerful storms.
—Briana Waxman, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2025
But warmer waters will eventually fuel strengthening.
—South Florida Sun Sentinel, Sun Sentinel, 11 Aug. 2025
One study, published in February in the journal Environmental Research Letters, found that a plume of hot freshwater, floating on top of the denser, slightly cooler saltwater in the Gulf, could have been key to Hurricane Idalia’s rapid strengthening in 2023.
—Alex Harris
august 8, Miami Herald, 8 Aug. 2025
Adaira Landry, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
The National Hurricane Center has reduced the system’s development odds to just a 20% chance of strengthening over the next two days and a 20% chance within the next seven days.
—Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 6 Sep. 2025
Alonso would have liked to have made more signings this summer, with strengthening in midfield an obvious target.
—Mario Cortegana, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
The plan extends to other areas of focus for India’s maritime industry, including strengthening shipbuilding, ship recycling and ship repairs, and the launch of green hydrogen hubs and sustainable shipping solutions.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 4 Sep. 2025
In hopes of confirming this and strengthening the signal, the Enterprise sends some probes into the wormhole.
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2025
But the recent success around strengthening NATO should give us all optimism.
—Kay Bailey Hutchison, Time, 1 Sep. 2025
There is always another tendency to sniff out, another set of shoulder strengthening to do, another spin through the rolodex of play calls, checks and signals lurking.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 31 Aug. 2025
Arsenal sold only two players while bringing in seven, which many have seen a significantly strengthening an already formidable squad.
—Peter Aitken, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Aug. 2025
Adjective
The event has also prompted a strengthening of the city's comptroller office's anti-fraud measures.
—David Clarey, jsonline.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Steady strengthening was also forecast over the next couple of days, hurricane center forecasters said.
—Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2025
Fernand will track north-northeastward to the east of Bermuda with modest strengthening expected, limited by some vertical shear.
—Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Aug. 2025
Amorim’s men finished 24 points adrift of fifth-place Newcastle United last season, with several notable rivals spending the summer strengthening.
—Carl Anka, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2025
This type of explosive strengthening is happening more frequently as planet-warming pollution tips the scales toward hotter oceans that fuel powerful storms.
—Briana Waxman, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2025
But warmer waters will eventually fuel strengthening.
—South Florida Sun Sentinel, Sun Sentinel, 11 Aug. 2025
One study, published in February in the journal Environmental Research Letters, found that a plume of hot freshwater, floating on top of the denser, slightly cooler saltwater in the Gulf, could have been key to Hurricane Idalia’s rapid strengthening in 2023.
—Alex Harris
august 8, Miami Herald, 8 Aug. 2025
Noun
Efforts should also prioritize public education, reducing stigma, and strengthening support for families and schools caring for individuals with autism.
—Adaira Landry, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
The National Hurricane Center has reduced the system’s development odds to just a 20% chance of strengthening over the next two days and a 20% chance within the next seven days.
—Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 6 Sep. 2025
Alonso would have liked to have made more signings this summer, with strengthening in midfield an obvious target.
—Mario Cortegana, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
The plan extends to other areas of focus for India’s maritime industry, including strengthening shipbuilding, ship recycling and ship repairs, and the launch of green hydrogen hubs and sustainable shipping solutions.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 4 Sep. 2025
In hopes of confirming this and strengthening the signal, the Enterprise sends some probes into the wormhole.
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2025
But the recent success around strengthening NATO should give us all optimism.
—Kay Bailey Hutchison, Time, 1 Sep. 2025
There is always another tendency to sniff out, another set of shoulder strengthening to do, another spin through the rolodex of play calls, checks and signals lurking.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 31 Aug. 2025
Arsenal sold only two players while bringing in seven, which many have seen a significantly strengthening an already formidable squad.
—Peter Aitken, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strengthening
Verb
-
Three key lessons for protecting homes from wildfire emerged, two of them applying to individual homeowners hardening houses against fire, and clearing nearby flammable materials like plants and fences and one requiring communitywide action.—
Ethan Baron,
Mercury News,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Traditional security hardening is no longer enough to combat this threat.—
David Bennett,
Forbes.com,
29 Aug. 2025
Verb
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In the ultra-competitive Western Conference, the purple and gold will be looking to continue fortifying their roster, likely through the start of the regular season, with the trade deadline of February 6th circled on their calendar.—
Gabe Smallson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
-
This healing blend is powered by Ayurvedic ingredients like virgin amla oil and brahmi, two staples in traditional hair remedies known for fortifying strands and stimulating hair growth.—
Jailynn Taylor,
Allure,
1 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Reuters — Ethiopia officially inaugurated Africa’s largest hydroelectric dam on Tuesday, a project that will provide energy to millions of Ethiopians while deepening a rift with downstream Egypt that has unsettled the region.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
9 Sep. 2025
-
The meeting of the bloc of mostly developing nations comes as South Korea mulls joining the CPTPP, a pan-Pacific free trade group, while European officials head to New Delhi for talks on deepening economic ties and India looks to tighten technological cooperation with Singapore.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Chicagoans are bracing for a potential surge in federal immigration agents and National Guard troops that could begin as soon as this weekend – despite vocal protests by state and local leaders and Chicago residents.—
Lauren Villagran,
USA Today,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Still, the company is bracing for an EV sales falloff, and Duncan Aldred, GM senior vice president and president of North America, said in a statement the company would be mindful of its EV production plans.—
Jackie Charniga,
Freep.com,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
But most recently it has been hit from several sides, most notably stiffening competition primarily from Amazon, off-pricers and membership clubs as well as Walmart and Target.—
David Moin,
Footwear News,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Competition has also been stiffening, the analyst added, which could be an additional tailwind for growth.—
Brian Evans,
CNBC,
29 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Meanwhile, the West Coast may see continued increases ahead in California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, and Nevada due to seasonal refinery maintenance and the shutdown of a refinery in Southern California, which will keep supply tight.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
8 Sep. 2025
-
But an increase in appreciation and funding isn’t the only thing needed to improve special education.—
IndyStar,
IndyStar,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
At just 4 to 5 weeks old, the kittens are still adjusting to life without their mother after being fostered through A Place for Meow Rescue, a rescue based in Rapid City, South Dakota.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
-
As already mentioned, the minimum investment thresholds were raised to $800,000 in Targeted Employment Areas (rural, high-unemployment, or infrastructure projects) and $1,050,000 elsewhere, adjusting these amounts for inflation.—
Andy J. Semotiuk,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Meanwhile, Russia’s growing military ties with North Korea – capped with the signing of a mutual defense treaty last year – have raised concerns that in exchange for arms and troops, Putin may assist Pyongyang in enhancing its missile technology and nuclear weapons delivery systems.—
Nectar Gan,
CNN Money,
10 Sep. 2025
-
While primarily designed for high availability, this also means data and operations are protected against localized security events or attacks, enhancing data integrity and system uptime even under duress.—
Khash Kiani,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Strengthening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strengthening. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.
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