strengthens

present tense third-person singular of strengthen
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
3
4
5
as in stiffens
to make more harsh, uncompromising, or severe a bill was introduced to strengthen punishments for hate crimes

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 Culture strengthens when communication is transparent, feedback loops close and leaders are accountable for engagement. Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026 Scientists say similar widespread impacts have not yet been documented in the current marine heatwave, but warn that conditions could shift quickly if El Niño strengthens as forecast. Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 2 July 2026 The ruling clarifies and strengthens privacy protections in the digital age. Anne Toomey McKenna, The Conversation, 30 June 2026 The production agreement also strengthens Overland AI’s relationship with the Marine Corps. Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 30 June 2026 Here is what the research says about why crafting together strengthens couples, and which hands-on classes deliver the strongest payoff. Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 25 June 2026 Louden points out that sometimes an English word strengthens and diversifies the Pennsylvania Dutch lexicon rather than diminishes it. Eythana Miller, The Dial, 23 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strengthens
Verb
  • As patterns become clear and predictable, the organization hardens them into deterministic rules.
    Jakob Freund, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026
  • Practically overnight, Sylvia’s cozy attitude toward the girl hardens into coolness, impatience and neglect.
    Natalia Winkelman, Variety, 16 June 2026
Verb
  • Inside, soy proteins repair and strengthen, copper peptides stimulate keratin production–aka the protein that fortifies and minimizes frizz–and pro-B vitamins amplify fullness.
    Ellie Davis, Vogue, 25 June 2026
  • The Olive and June product can also be applied daily to bare nails as an intensive strengthening treatment that not only fortifies your claws, but also repairs ridges, discoloration, and pesky peeling along the way.
    Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 3 June 2026
Verb
  • Very dry weather tends to lead to higher temperatures, which causes more evaporation that intensifies the drought—leading to even drier conditions, Myers explained.
    Jason Ma, Fortune, 21 June 2026
  • Taiwan’s defense ministry on Sunday announced a five-day combat readiness exercise as China intensifies military activity around the island.
    Lauren Morganbesser, semafor.com, 21 June 2026
Verb
  • Thousands of migrants are fleeing South Africa as the country braces for violence after an anti-immigrant group set a Tuesday deadline for all undocumented migrants to leave.
    Lauren Morganbesser, semafor.com, 28 June 2026
  • As cybersecurity braces for a post-quantum world where standard encryption keys will become obsolete, Q-Dice offers a concrete line of defense.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 22 June 2026
Verb
  • For seven-and-a-half years, Ladd had dealt with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a progressive lung disease that stiffens and scars the lungs.
    Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 24 June 2026
  • To execute its ruthless 66-pound weight loss program, the rear seats have been completely deleted, replaced by a massive structural strut brace that significantly stiffens the chassis.
    Peter Lyon, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026
Verb
  • Roborock Vacuum Deals Roborock Qrevo Curv This premium, high-end hybrid robot vacuum and mop features an innovative self-lifting chassis that adjusts in real-time to climb over small thresholds and obstacles.
    Cierra Cowan, PC Magazine, 3 July 2026
  • Some providers might work on a sliding fee scale, for example, which adjusts cost based on a patient’s household income and family size.
    Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 2 July 2026
Verb
  • Sharper battlefield awareness Teledyne FLIR said the software enhances image quality using computational imaging techniques such as turbulence mitigation, dehazing, and super-resolution.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 2 July 2026
  • The workflow also has extensibility to a variety of other agentic use cases, including the company’s Chat Concierge tool which enhances the customer experience for car buyers and dealers.
    Forbes.com, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
Verb
  • Dress professionally, and either make sure your background is clutter free or use a virtual background that reinforces your message.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
  • The order also reinforces Saab’s position in the global submarine market.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 29 June 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Strengthens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strengthens. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on strengthens

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster