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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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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Recent Examples of strengthens
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
The study authors believe the new research provides crucial evidence of breeding habitats that strengthens the idea of the Weddell Sea Marine Protected Area, proposed by the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 29 Oct. 2025
The American Academy of Pediatrics says that reading together with young children significantly strengthens relationships with caregivers and promotes early brain development, laying the groundwork for school readiness and long-term benefits throughout life.
—Chris Schulz, NPR, 28 Oct. 2025
Involving children and grandchildren early strengthens relationships, prevents conflict and ensures giving reflects shared priorities.
—William Jarvis, Fortune, 28 Oct. 2025
The protocol agreed upon this week strengthens the existing 2026-2030 Plan of Action to Implement the ASEAN-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, Li said.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 28 Oct. 2025
Capital discipline — prioritizing projects with credible returns — and greater localization that enables technology transfer and strengthens Saudi balance sheets.
—Wael Mahdi, semafor.com, 27 Oct. 2025
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
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
The study authors believe the new research provides crucial evidence of breeding habitats that strengthens the idea of the Weddell Sea Marine Protected Area, proposed by the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 29 Oct. 2025
The American Academy of Pediatrics says that reading together with young children significantly strengthens relationships with caregivers and promotes early brain development, laying the groundwork for school readiness and long-term benefits throughout life.
—Chris Schulz, NPR, 28 Oct. 2025
Involving children and grandchildren early strengthens relationships, prevents conflict and ensures giving reflects shared priorities.
—William Jarvis, Fortune, 28 Oct. 2025
The protocol agreed upon this week strengthens the existing 2026-2030 Plan of Action to Implement the ASEAN-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, Li said.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 28 Oct. 2025
Capital discipline — prioritizing projects with credible returns — and greater localization that enables technology transfer and strengthens Saudi balance sheets.
—Wael Mahdi, semafor.com, 27 Oct. 2025
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
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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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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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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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
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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
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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The document reinforces that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) is not a tariff statute—nor did Congress intend of provide for it to be leveraged as such.—
Kate Nishimura,
Sourcing Journal,
28 Oct. 2025
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The transformation reinforces our position as a pioneer in the region’s retail and leisure landscape.—
Ritu Upadhyay,
Footwear News,
28 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Strengthens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strengthens. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
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