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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of strengthens
This strengthens the case that a massive, hidden planet orbiting inside the disk has been shaping its structure since the system’s youth.
—
Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 7 Sep. 2025
The bill strengthens protections against antisemitism and all forms of discrimination in K-12 schools by setting clear classroom standards, increasing accountability for local school agencies and establishing teacher and administrator training.
—Daniel Klein, Mercury News, 6 Sep. 2025
Monroe, tasked with embodying Cherry’s transformation, gives a quietly affecting performance that blossoms into something radiant as her bond with Hero strengthens.
—Leila Latif, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2025
Screening a large blood nutrient library – the range of nutrients measured in blood tests – the researchers found that zeaxanthin stabilizes and strengthens the formation of T-cell receptor (TCR) structures on CD8+ T cells when the immune cells encounter cancer growths.
—New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2025
Tensions in the southern Caribbean are rising as the United States strengthens its military presence near Venezuelan waters, escalating pressure on President Nicolás Maduro.
—Amir Daftari
john Feng, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
Rather than competing directly with technology and AI, this model strengthens the distinctly human capacities that AI cannot replicate.
—Dr. Adil Dalal, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
And the unisex appeal strengthens its case.
—Adam Hurly, Robb Report, 2 Sep. 2025
As Harvard Business Review notes, leaders who regularly reflect on their experiences gain self-awareness, which strengthens decision-making and leadership effectiveness.
—Scott Hutcheson, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024
Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 7 Sep. 2025
The bill strengthens protections against antisemitism and all forms of discrimination in K-12 schools by setting clear classroom standards, increasing accountability for local school agencies and establishing teacher and administrator training.
—Daniel Klein, Mercury News, 6 Sep. 2025
Monroe, tasked with embodying Cherry’s transformation, gives a quietly affecting performance that blossoms into something radiant as her bond with Hero strengthens.
—Leila Latif, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2025
Screening a large blood nutrient library – the range of nutrients measured in blood tests – the researchers found that zeaxanthin stabilizes and strengthens the formation of T-cell receptor (TCR) structures on CD8+ T cells when the immune cells encounter cancer growths.
—New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2025
Tensions in the southern Caribbean are rising as the United States strengthens its military presence near Venezuelan waters, escalating pressure on President Nicolás Maduro.
—Amir Daftari
john Feng, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
Rather than competing directly with technology and AI, this model strengthens the distinctly human capacities that AI cannot replicate.
—Dr. Adil Dalal, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
And the unisex appeal strengthens its case.
—Adam Hurly, Robb Report, 2 Sep. 2025
As Harvard Business Review notes, leaders who regularly reflect on their experiences gain self-awareness, which strengthens decision-making and leadership effectiveness.
—Scott Hutcheson, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strengthens
Verb
-
When a partner continually feels trapped behind excuses or counterattacks, the original frustration then hardens into resentment.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
-
But as Beijing hardens its ties with Russia, North Korea and other nations unfriendly to the West, the emergence of two camps and the contest between them appears clearer than ever.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Avoiding the below mistakes not only fortifies digital-first customer service strategies but will also reshape the controversial narrative around chatbots.—
Gary Drenik,
Forbes.com,
21 Aug. 2025
-
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
-
This comparison gets intense in organizational settings because workplaces have a clear hierarchy, which intensifies comparisons.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
-
As climate change intensifies natural disasters, states across the US have been mandating that home sellers disclose risks such as flooding.—
Bloomberg,
Oc Register,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
As Chicago braces for a similar crackdown, the Los Angeles effort topped 5,000 arrests last week.—
Elliot Spagat,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Sep. 2025
-
As Major League Baseball reportedly braces for its own salary cap, these risks only grow.—
Jesse Silvertown,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Initially, Ugarte is marked by Kevin De Bruyne, but once Mazraoui plays the ball to Mainoo, the Uruguay midfielder adjusts his position to be a passing option.—
Ahmed Walid,
New York Times,
4 Sep. 2025
-
California adjusts lottery prize amounts based on the number of tickets sold and number of winners.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
In addition, the Pilot Pack ($3,400) enhances the Polestar 2’s safety features with 360-degree cameras, adaptive cruise control and more.—
Erik Shilling,
Robb Report,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Treating technology migration and cultural integration as complementary strategies reduces friction and enhances adoption.—
Benjamin Niaulin,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The weak showing reinforces a picture of a labor market that has almost entirely lost momentum.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
5 Sep. 2025
-
This partnership also reinforces O’Neal’s commitment to working with partners who understand his vision of making quality products accessible to everyday consumers.—
Kimberly Wilson,
Essence,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Many men disconnect from their family to get a reprieve from these sentiments, which deepens the drift.—
Linsey Hughes,
Flow Space,
10 Sep. 2025
-
At the gallery opening a few days later, her suspicion only deepens when Daniel and Cherry, who arrived late in the first place, leave without saying goodbye, which is uncharacteristic of their dutiful son.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Strengthens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strengthens. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share