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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
That extra mental effort strengthens the connection between your brain and muscles, helping improve balance and reaction time.
—
Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 2025
Officials at the National Satellite Ocean Application Service (NSOAS) said the satellite strengthens China’s role in the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, with plans to share data for international research collaborations.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2025
Being honest with your family, friends, partners, and community about your symptoms strengthens trust and builds better relationships.
—Essence, 23 Oct. 2025
Gradually work your way up to 60 seconds as your core strengthens.
—Mallory Creveling, Health, 22 Oct. 2025
Due to questions about the storm's path, concerns have been raised that Florida could be affected as Melissa strengthens.
—Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
Behind these corporate leaders stands a broader innovation and research ecosystem that strengthens Hong Kong’s capacity for sustainable development.
—Sunny Tan, Sourcing Journal, 22 Oct. 2025
Fast delivery strengthens engagement, deepens brand connection and supports our ambition to create luxury experiences that go beyond retail, making every interaction more seamless and personal.
—Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 21 Oct. 2025
Lastly, the acquisition strengthens Capital One’s balance sheet, allowing for aggressive share repurchases in the future.
—Jeff Marks, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2025
Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 2025
Officials at the National Satellite Ocean Application Service (NSOAS) said the satellite strengthens China’s role in the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, with plans to share data for international research collaborations.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2025
Being honest with your family, friends, partners, and community about your symptoms strengthens trust and builds better relationships.
—Essence, 23 Oct. 2025
Gradually work your way up to 60 seconds as your core strengthens.
—Mallory Creveling, Health, 22 Oct. 2025
Due to questions about the storm's path, concerns have been raised that Florida could be affected as Melissa strengthens.
—Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
Behind these corporate leaders stands a broader innovation and research ecosystem that strengthens Hong Kong’s capacity for sustainable development.
—Sunny Tan, Sourcing Journal, 22 Oct. 2025
Fast delivery strengthens engagement, deepens brand connection and supports our ambition to create luxury experiences that go beyond retail, making every interaction more seamless and personal.
—Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 21 Oct. 2025
Lastly, the acquisition strengthens Capital One’s balance sheet, allowing for aggressive share repurchases in the future.
—Jeff Marks, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strengthens
Verb
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The confession struck him as both raw and deeply tragic, a glimpse of how ambition hardens into captivity.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
26 Oct. 2025
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Another team hardens those that show promise, building in compliance and integration from the beginning.—
Adam Mills,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Trying to stay ahead of the game, for Dick’s the acquisition of Foot Locker also fortifies relationships with Nike and Adidas, which still dominate global footwear sales, and gives Dick’s negotiating leverage.—
Mark Faithfull,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
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The future Hall of Famer only fortifies the talented roster, and gives Houston an experienced star who has the championship hardware to prove it.—
Valentina Martinez,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Unfortunately for the squeamish 12-year-old me, the lifelike fluidity intensifies the story’s body-horror elements.—
The Atlantic Culture Desk,
The Atlantic,
29 Oct. 2025
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The danger intensifies when storm surge coincides with high tide, rapidly elevating water levels and increasing the risk of widespread flooding.—
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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More news to know now Jamaica braces for Category 5 Hurricane Melissa.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
28 Oct. 2025
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Jamaica braces for rare direct hurricane hit While Jamaica has had numerous brushes with hurricanes over the years, a direct hit, like the one Hurricane Melissa looks likely to inflict, are rare.—
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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But the schedule stiffens up next week with the start of 4A South Metro League play as Heritage, Ponderosa and Dakota Ridge all loom in October.—
Matt Schubert,
Denver Post,
26 Sep. 2025
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In a similar way, a man who is defiant stiffens his neck, squares his shoulders, lowers his brows, and clenches his fists with his knuckles forward.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Jackson adjusts his camera so his lower half isn’t visible.—
Mitchell Willetts,
Kansas City Star,
30 Oct. 2025
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California adjusts lottery prizes based on the number of tickets sold and number of winners.—
Daniella Segura,
Sacbee.com,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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How Zurzuvae works to help combat postpartum depression Zurzuvae enhances the effect of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter that sends signals in the brain to calm nerve activity, Kelly Johnson-Arbor, MD, a toxicologist at MedStar Health, tells SELF.—
Korin Miller,
SELF,
28 Oct. 2025
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In addition to speed and efficiency, FliCS enhances safety and operational flexibility.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
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If the death of Cinna is a microcosm of the play, the other moment that reinforces the importance of due process in Julius Caesar is even more compressed, lasting a mere eight lines at the start of the fourth act.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
23 Oct. 2025
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The decision reinforces due process protections for immigrants and citizens alike, curbing warrantless arrests and asserting that even federal agents must answer to the same legal standards they are sworn to uphold.—
Robert Alexander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Strengthens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strengthens. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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