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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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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
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of strengthens
Trust that tending to your foundations strengthens your public success.
—
Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 4 Feb. 2026
If money, knowledge, or labor feel uneven, propose simple rules and choose transparency, because trust strengthens when everyone sees the same numbers.
—Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2026
This strengthens community ties, contributes to local spending, and boosts the economy.
—Kansas City Star, 3 Feb. 2026
Donovan strengthens the current group and the return won’t drain one of baseball’s best farm systems.
—Andy McCullough, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
The focus on class also strengthens this season’s central love story.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 2 Feb. 2026
The ban also potentially strengthens the cartels by giving them another revenue stream that is not a high priority for the United States government, because vapes are still legal there, said Alejandro Rosario, a lawyer representing many vape shops.
—María Verza, Fortune, 31 Jan. 2026
As their bond strengthens under strenuous circumstances, the actors’ performances evolve with the characters.
—Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 31 Jan. 2026
Farmer’s Carry The farmer’s carry strengthens your core and shoulders to improve posture, while also building grip strength.
—Rikkilynn Shields Hannigan, Health, 31 Jan. 2026
Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 4 Feb. 2026
If money, knowledge, or labor feel uneven, propose simple rules and choose transparency, because trust strengthens when everyone sees the same numbers.
—Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2026
This strengthens community ties, contributes to local spending, and boosts the economy.
—Kansas City Star, 3 Feb. 2026
Donovan strengthens the current group and the return won’t drain one of baseball’s best farm systems.
—Andy McCullough, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
The focus on class also strengthens this season’s central love story.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 2 Feb. 2026
The ban also potentially strengthens the cartels by giving them another revenue stream that is not a high priority for the United States government, because vapes are still legal there, said Alejandro Rosario, a lawyer representing many vape shops.
—María Verza, Fortune, 31 Jan. 2026
As their bond strengthens under strenuous circumstances, the actors’ performances evolve with the characters.
—Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 31 Jan. 2026
Farmer’s Carry The farmer’s carry strengthens your core and shoulders to improve posture, while also building grip strength.
—Rikkilynn Shields Hannigan, Health, 31 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strengthens
Verb
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The regime shapes us into its likeness, hardens the heart.—
Azar Nafisi,
Time,
3 Feb. 2026
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The presence of an external enemy unifies the security forces, hardens their resolve, prevents defections, and makes internal fractures less likely.—
Omid Memarian,
The Atlantic,
25 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Trading for Vucevic fortifies Boston’s front court–and provides a valuable play-making skill set to complement Jaylen Brown in a season worthy of MVP consideration.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
6 Feb. 2026
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Beyond aesthetics, the $11 formula fortifies your fingernails, no matter how damaged.—
Kyra Surgent,
InStyle,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Nigerian energy companies have ramped up oil production over the past year as the government intensifies its efforts to restart dormant refineries and monetize untapped gas reserves.—
Alexander Onukwue,
semafor.com,
9 Feb. 2026
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When temperatures drop below 32 degrees after dark, the city activates enhanced Code Blue, which intensifies outreach and relaxes shelter rules to bring more people indoors.—
Jeffrey Ginsburg,
New York Daily News,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The South Carolina Department of Public Health (SCDPH) has confirmed a second death from last weekend's winter storm as the state braces for more extreme weather in the coming days.—
Rachel Wolf,
FOXNews.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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New Hampshire New Hampshire Public Radio has resources for finding shelters and staying safe as the state braces for extreme cold, including temperatures of -30 and wind gusts of up to 100 miles per hour.—
Anusha Mathur,
NPR,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The luxury retailer, weighed down by debt, is under pressure as consumers shift their shopping habits and competition stiffens.—
Brian Womack,
Dallas Morning News,
29 Jan. 2026
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The schedule stiffens over the final four with Green Bay and Jacksonville at home, a Christmas night game at Kansas City and then Week 18 at home against the Los Angeles Chargers.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
30 Nov. 2025
Verb
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But organizers said that the leaner program reflected a strategic reallocation of budget resources rather than a tightening of the belt as the trade show adjusts to a more cautious, fragmented global fashion market.—
Rhonda Richford,
Footwear News,
5 Feb. 2026
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The metering system automatically adjusts how long motorists are held before entering the highway depending on traffic conditions, Liccardo said.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The instant espresso enhances the chocolate flavoring as if there isn't enough chocolate already.—
Nellah Bailey McGough,
Southern Living,
10 Feb. 2026
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The conditioner’s nourishing formula also tames frizz, boosts moisture, and enhances shine.—
Alyssa Morin,
InStyle,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The co-location of global leaders in such dedicated zones reinforces the idea that successful ecosystems think beyond silos and that true growth emerges from collaborative environments where businesses, academia, and government work in tandem.—
Abdulla Belhoul,
Fortune,
4 Feb. 2026
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The city commission said the move reinforces the collaborative approach supporting local businesses while also prioritizing public safety and neighborhood quality of life.—
Steven Yablonski,
CBS News,
4 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Strengthens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strengthens. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.
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