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
By opening international doors for both new and established filmmakers, the award strengthens Netflix’s support for the creative community and boosts the global reach of Brazilian storytelling.
—
Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 4 Oct. 2025
Equity capital strengthens the balance sheet but does not count as revenue, which helps explain why Williams could raise substantial funds in the year yet still report a loss.
—Alex Harrington, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
This strengthens your legs while raising your heart rate and trains your heart to pump more efficiently, said Owoc.
—Sherri Gordon, Health, 2 Oct. 2025
This resolution strengthens the foundation for simulating reactor behavior and assures designers that graphite will perform its duties as expected.
—Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2025
Much of the Bahamas are expected to be soaked — with six to twelve inches of rain in the heaviest spots near the northwest — and be swept by winds of 45 mph and up as the depression strengthens into Tropical Storm Imelda as early as today.
—Alex Harris
updated September 28, Miami Herald, 28 Sep. 2025
Doing these steps in order sends a clear message and strengthens deterrence.
—Seth G. Jones, Foreign Affairs, 26 Sep. 2025
Rooted in the land-grant tradition, the UA System expands access to academic, practical, and professional opportunities, fosters intellectual growth and student success, promotes discovery and public service, and strengthens Arkansas's economy, health, and culture.
—Ryan Anderson, Arkansas Online, 26 Sep. 2025
This announcement further strengthens the relationship between OpenAI and Nvidia as leaders at the forefront of the AI revolution, while providing OpenAI with substantial funding at lower costs by reducing its credit risk, Wedbush Securities analysts wrote in a Tuesday note to investors.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 24 Sep. 2025
Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 4 Oct. 2025
Equity capital strengthens the balance sheet but does not count as revenue, which helps explain why Williams could raise substantial funds in the year yet still report a loss.
—Alex Harrington, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
This strengthens your legs while raising your heart rate and trains your heart to pump more efficiently, said Owoc.
—Sherri Gordon, Health, 2 Oct. 2025
This resolution strengthens the foundation for simulating reactor behavior and assures designers that graphite will perform its duties as expected.
—Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2025
Much of the Bahamas are expected to be soaked — with six to twelve inches of rain in the heaviest spots near the northwest — and be swept by winds of 45 mph and up as the depression strengthens into Tropical Storm Imelda as early as today.
—Alex Harris
updated September 28, Miami Herald, 28 Sep. 2025
Doing these steps in order sends a clear message and strengthens deterrence.
—Seth G. Jones, Foreign Affairs, 26 Sep. 2025
Rooted in the land-grant tradition, the UA System expands access to academic, practical, and professional opportunities, fosters intellectual growth and student success, promotes discovery and public service, and strengthens Arkansas's economy, health, and culture.
—Ryan Anderson, Arkansas Online, 26 Sep. 2025
This announcement further strengthens the relationship between OpenAI and Nvidia as leaders at the forefront of the AI revolution, while providing OpenAI with substantial funding at lower costs by reducing its credit risk, Wedbush Securities analysts wrote in a Tuesday note to investors.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 24 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strengthens
Verb
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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
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When a partner continually feels trapped behind excuses or counterattacks, the original frustration then hardens into resentment.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 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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Neptune retrograde in Pisces sharpens spiritual intuition, and the Sun entering Scorpio on the 22nd intensifies your pursuit of authenticity.—
Meghan Rose,
Glamour,
1 Oct. 2025
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Throughout the month, a Scorpio stellium (Mars, Mercury entering Scorpio on the 6th, and the Sun on the 23rd) intensifies your career and legacy sector.—
Dossé-Via Trenou,
Refinery29,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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As the first government shutdown in seven years got underway on Wednesday, tens of thousands of federal workers face the risk of missing paychecks as broader America braces for the absence of some key services.—
Bill Hutchinson,
ABC News,
1 Oct. 2025
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Airport workers face unpaid shifts during government shutdown As the federal government braces for a shutdown, essential airport personnel—including TSA officers and air traffic controllers—will remain on duty without pay.—
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Sep. 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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The measure, typically announced each October, adjusts the benefits Social Security recipients earn to counteract the effects of inflation.—
Solcyré Burga,
Time,
1 Oct. 2025
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While Matt adjusts to life with his daughter and grandchildren underfoot, his shop becomes a hub of comedy and camaraderie with employees like Stitch (Daryl Mitchell) and Gabriel (Seann William Scott).—
Samantha Stutsman,
PEOPLE,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Soundbar Deals The Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus instantly enhances the sound on any TV without taking over your entire living room or draining your wallet.—
Juhi Wadia,
PC Magazine,
7 Oct. 2025
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By automatically balancing the tension of each mooring line, the system minimizes downtime, reduces strain on components, and enhances long-term performance.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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By linking enrichment, missile capabilities, and support for Palestinian resistance, the senior cleric reinforces a hard-line posture that could further complicate diplomatic efforts and destabilize the region.—
Amir Daftari,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
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Over time, dysfunctional breathing reinforces poor posture and scapular instability.—
Dana Santas,
CNN Money,
2 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Strengthens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strengthens. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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