Synonyms of strengthens

strengthens

verb

present tense third-person singular of strengthen

1

as in hardens

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

• hardens
• fortifies
• toughens
• energizes
• tempers
• beefs (up)
• invigorates
• vitalizes
• firms (up)
• anneals
• tones (up)
• restrengthens

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• weakens
• hurts
• impairs
• paralyzes
• injures
• cripples
• harms
• damages
• debilitates
• undermines
• enfeebles
• enervates
• breaks down
• incapacitates
• undercuts
• wears out
• saps

2

as in fortifies

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

• fortifies
• hardens
• adjusts
• reinforces
• bolsters
• toughens
• inures
• adapts
• boosts
• steels
• supports
• braces
• seasons
• invigorates
• vitalizes
• indurates
• enforces
• immunizes
• tempers
• acclimatizes
• anneals
• acclimates
• accustoms
• buttresses
• conditions
• breaks in
• trains
• habituates
• forearms
• naturalizes
• props (up)
• limbers (up)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• softens
• weakens
• saps
• exhausts
• cripples
• enfeebles
• sensitizes
• incapacitates
• emasculates
• enervates
• debilitates
• hamstrings

3

as in intensifies

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

• intensifies
• enhances
• deepens
• heightens
• consolidates
• reinforces
• broadens
• boosts
• sharpens
• amplifies
• accentuates
• expands
• redoubles
• magnifies
• emphasizes
• lengthens
• augments
• extends
• steps up
• accelerates
• maximizes
• amps (up)
• enforces
• enlarges
• beefs (up)
• hastens
• quickens
• enlivens
• stresses
• exacerbates
• points (up)
• supplements
• aggravates
• restrengthens
• jazzes (up)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• reduces
• decreases
• weakens
• diminishes
• moderates
• lessens
• tones (down)
• abates
• subdues
• wanes
• recedes
• subsides
• alleviates
• tapers (off)
• lightens
• eases
• lets up (on)
• dwindles

4

as in braces

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

• fortifies
• braces
• nerves
• readies
• poises
• reinforces
• forearms
• bolsters
• steels
• arms
• enforces
• toughens
• sustains
• inures
• psyches (up)
• hardens
• encourages
• emboldens
• inspires
• heartens
• boosts
• buttresses
• supports
• stirs
• comforts
• rouses
• seasons
• buoys (up)
• cheers (up)
• props (up)
• rallies

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• shakes
• discourages
• undermines
• demoralizes
• weakens
• disheartens
• unnerves
• daunts
• softens
• undercuts
• saps
• debilitates
• enfeebles
• dispirits
• enervates
• tires
• psychs (out)
• prostrates

5

as in stiffens

to make more harsh, uncompromising, or severe

a bill was introduced to strengthen punishments for hate crimes

Synonyms & Similar Words

• stiffens
• toughens
• hardens
• harshens

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• eases
• lessens
• softens
• moderates
• ameliorates

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of strengthens

Acknowledging these contributions builds trust, strengthens engagement and rewards initiative. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026

Monday’s announcement only strengthens that investment thesis. — Alexa Lomonaco, CNBC, 21 July 2026

As Texas recovers from devastating flooding, another round of rain could be on the way as Tropical Storm Bertha strengthens in the Gulf. — Natassia Paloma, USA Today, 21 July 2026

Temperatures are expected to gradually ease heading into the weekend as the onshore flow strengthens and cloud cover increases, although conditions are expected to remain above normal through at least Friday, forecasters said. — City News Service, Daily News, 15 July 2026

This additional detention capacity strengthens ICE's ability to implement the Administration's immigration enforcement priorities, restore integrity to the nation's immigration system, and protect public safety. — Alan Gionet, CBS News, 14 July 2026

Instead of focusing on mining, the project strengthens refining capacity, allowing more defense-grade materials to be processed domestically. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 14 July 2026

That’s how public art strengthens our sense of belonging and reflects the people who call their neighborhoods home. — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 14 July 2026

The star of the show was the Acidic Bonding Concentrate Leave-In Conditioner, a damage-fighting serum the stylist used to prep her hair that tames frizz and strengthens split ends. — Reece Andavolgyi, InStyle, 13 July 2026