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
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Similarly, Texas requires a valid photo ID for filing deeds, and strengthens notary regulations by prohibiting notaries from sealing documents if the person signing is not physically present.
—
Lew Sichelman, Miami Herald, 7 May 2026
This move strengthens our wellness design leadership and reflects our focus on expanding capabilities, not just geography.
—Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 7 May 2026
No doubt when Benjamin Sesko doubles United’s lead, their belief only strengthens.
—Chris McKenna, New York Times, 4 May 2026
Washington should not overlook a program that strengthens families, safeguards a vital trust fund and restores the dignity of work.
—French Hill, Baltimore Sun, 4 May 2026
Providing access to affordable health care for tax-contributing individuals recognizes their efforts, supports their well-being and strengthens our nation.
—Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 4 May 2026
Potassium strengthens a lawn by rooting it firmly to the soil.
—Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 2 May 2026
Infrastructure creates enduring impact and enables industries to develop, supports entrepreneurship, and strengthens economic resilience.
—Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 1 May 2026
Funded through a grant from the parent foundation of Healthy Blue, this new app strengthens Nurture KC’s long-standing Healthy Start program by putting trusted information, timely reminders, and vital connections directly into the hands of families who need them most.
—Kansas City Star, 30 Apr. 2026
Lew Sichelman, Miami Herald, 7 May 2026
This move strengthens our wellness design leadership and reflects our focus on expanding capabilities, not just geography.
—Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 7 May 2026
No doubt when Benjamin Sesko doubles United’s lead, their belief only strengthens.
—Chris McKenna, New York Times, 4 May 2026
Washington should not overlook a program that strengthens families, safeguards a vital trust fund and restores the dignity of work.
—French Hill, Baltimore Sun, 4 May 2026
Providing access to affordable health care for tax-contributing individuals recognizes their efforts, supports their well-being and strengthens our nation.
—Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 4 May 2026
Potassium strengthens a lawn by rooting it firmly to the soil.
—Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 2 May 2026
Infrastructure creates enduring impact and enables industries to develop, supports entrepreneurship, and strengthens economic resilience.
—Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 1 May 2026
Funded through a grant from the parent foundation of Healthy Blue, this new app strengthens Nurture KC’s long-standing Healthy Start program by putting trusted information, timely reminders, and vital connections directly into the hands of families who need them most.
—Kansas City Star, 30 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strengthens
Verb
-
Lightly scrub grout or tile lines before buildup hardens further.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Miami Herald,
30 Apr. 2026
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Whether schools catch up, whether employers reverse the junior hiring freeze, and whether Washington produces anything resembling a workforce policy will determine whether the current anxiety hardens into something permanent.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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What fortifies it the most is an appearance from Williams’ grandfather midway through the song.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
2 May 2026
-
Excited yet anxious over the prospect of reconnecting with the man that got away, the pair fortifies themselves with cocktails and bubbly during a boozy dinner.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Its residents will also be awaiting further attacks, as Ukraine intensifies its campaign to disrupt the Russian oil industry and deprive the Kremlin of crucial funding for its war machine.—
Yuliya Talmazan,
NBC news,
1 May 2026
-
Mexico arrests cartel leader amid widening gang crackdown Mexico’s military arrested a top cartel leader in a raid involving more than 500 troops, the country’s security minister announced on Monday, as President Claudia Sheinbaum intensifies her gang crackdown.—
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson,
semafor.com,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Local officials were assessing the extent of the damage and impact — as the region braces for more possible tornadoes in the days ahead.—
Ben Noll,
Washington Post,
24 Apr. 2026
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While Silicon Valley braces for overnight layoffs, is China faring any better?—
Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The rings arise because the metal softens as the can compresses, then stiffens, then compresses and stiffens again, repeating the pattern until the compression is complete—akin to something called homoclinic snaking.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
2 May 2026
-
Will these Knicks stick to the process when the competition stiffens in the second round?—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Early in the film, Perry sits behind the wheel of her car, adjusts the rearview mirror and backs out of the garage.—
Pamela Chelin,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
-
As Cameron adjusts to life in Sowell Bay (more bonding with Ethan, who is a little hung up on Tova, plus his own potential romance with Avery, played by a peppy Sofia Black-D’Elia), Tova starts to inch her way out of it.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
7 May 2026
Verb
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This investment expands the production of the Bushmaster, supports jobs, boosts sovereign capacity and enhances Australian manufacturing capabilities, standing ready to efficiently meet international demand.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Apr. 2026
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Pro hairstylist Ryan Richman previously described this Briogeo cream as a lightweight, silicone-free heat-protectant cream that minimizes frizz, smooths hair, enhances shine, and protects against heat up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.—
Deanna Pai,
Vogue,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The absence of a prescribed theme across the exhibition reinforces that multiplicity.—
Miguel Sirgado,
Miami Herald,
6 May 2026
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Tuvia Gering, a nonresident fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Global China Hub, said the timing of Araghchi's visit is important, saying the meeting showed coordinated messaging between Beijing and Tehran and reinforces China's desire to have a seat in any future regional agreement.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Strengthens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strengthens. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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