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
Key Takeaways Calcium builds and strengthens bones, while vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium.
—
T'keyah Bazin, Verywell Health, 5 Nov. 2025
Perhaps witnessing that transformation strengthens its usefulness to others.
—Literary Hub, 4 Nov. 2025
That finding, confirmed by multiple studies, strengthens the case that gut imbalances may play a role in mood regulation.
—Lauryn Higgins, Time, 4 Nov. 2025
Celebrating others strengthens the community.
—Wyles Daniel, USA Today, 4 Nov. 2025
The deal, financial details of which were not disclosed, strengthens the collaboration between the two companies and will see Integra Fragrances’ founder Lorenzo Cotti remain at his firm as CEO to ensure the continuity of the business.
—Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 3 Nov. 2025
By developing crops that can thrive under stress and with fewer inputs, Avalo’s technology not only boosts productivity but also strengthens the resilience of agricultural systems facing climate volatility.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 3 Nov. 2025
Besides promoting pain-free movement, building your back muscles strengthens the supporting muscles that aid in posture and stability.
—Leoni Jesner, Health, 1 Nov. 2025
Hunt believes his long-standing friendship with Mahomes only strengthens their on-field chemistry.
—Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 29 Oct. 2025
T'keyah Bazin, Verywell Health, 5 Nov. 2025
Perhaps witnessing that transformation strengthens its usefulness to others.
—Literary Hub, 4 Nov. 2025
That finding, confirmed by multiple studies, strengthens the case that gut imbalances may play a role in mood regulation.
—Lauryn Higgins, Time, 4 Nov. 2025
Celebrating others strengthens the community.
—Wyles Daniel, USA Today, 4 Nov. 2025
The deal, financial details of which were not disclosed, strengthens the collaboration between the two companies and will see Integra Fragrances’ founder Lorenzo Cotti remain at his firm as CEO to ensure the continuity of the business.
—Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 3 Nov. 2025
By developing crops that can thrive under stress and with fewer inputs, Avalo’s technology not only boosts productivity but also strengthens the resilience of agricultural systems facing climate volatility.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 3 Nov. 2025
Besides promoting pain-free movement, building your back muscles strengthens the supporting muscles that aid in posture and stability.
—Leoni Jesner, Health, 1 Nov. 2025
Hunt believes his long-standing friendship with Mahomes only strengthens their on-field chemistry.
—Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 29 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strengthens
Verb
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With Ciri missing and Vilgefortz still at large, Yennefer’s ambition hardens into purpose.—
JP Mangalindan,
Time,
30 Oct. 2025
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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
Verb
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Rice protein fortifies each strand to reduce breakage, while hyaluronic acid provides weightless hydration so hair stays soft without feeling heavy.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
30 Oct. 2025
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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
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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In a culture where Hollywood creators worry about an AI takeover while a video-watching citizenry braces itself for a wave of synthetic media from Sora 2 and others, an AI commercial at this level is no small thing.—
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Nov. 2025
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Trick-or-treaters can expect a chilly evening Friday as the Kansas City area braces for temperatures to drop continually over the next couple of days.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The light stiffens and grabs hold of us.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
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High-Cholesterol Foods Foods high in cholesterol can negatively affect blood pressure, contributing to atherosclerosis (plaque buildup that narrows and stiffens the arteries).—
Lindsey DeSoto,
Health,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
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To maintain precision, KIMM developed a reinforcement learning algorithm that continuously adjusts the nozzle’s aiming angle using six degrees of freedom acceleration data to compensate for wave and hull movement.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Nov. 2025
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The spray nozzle adjusts from a fine mist to a steady stream for careful quantity control.—
Nicole Pyles,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Saab states that this enhances multi-domain situational awareness, enabling naval commanders to make faster, more informed decisions.—
Kapil Kajal,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Nov. 2025
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The buoyant spirit is also aided by Karla Grotting’s effervescent choreography, the Seuss-faithful designs of Tom Butsch and David Kay Mickelsen, and a nine-piece pit orchestra that enhances the moods with some effective musical underpinning beneath the dialogue.—
Rob Hubbard,
Twin Cities,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Whether the start of a full new chapter for the rapper or a one-off detour, Stardust reinforces the idea that, even newly sober, Brown remains one of the most exciting and least predictable artists in hip-hop.—
Andrew Unterberger,
Billboard,
7 Nov. 2025
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Teaching reinforces your own learning.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Strengthens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strengthens. Accessed 18 Nov. 2025.
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