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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Then the storm moves on, the sun returns, and the surface hardens again, cracked and chalky, as if the place is trying to erase the evidence that water ever touched it.—
MacKenzie Sigalos,
CNBC,
1 Jan. 2026
-
But her attitude toward them eventually hardens.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
5 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
That night, Pam fortifies herself with a few drinks and answers when the phone rings.—
Allegra Goodman,
New Yorker,
4 Jan. 2026
-
The Supreme Court’s 6-3 conservative majority regularly fortifies religious rights, but the justices have also been wary of expanding government officials’ exposure to damages in their individual capacities.—
Zach Schonfeld,
The Hill,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The Arctic competition intensifies as Russia boosts military presence and China declares itself a ‘near-Arctic state,’ making Greenland crucial for North American defense.—
Danica Kirka,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Two days later, Mars conjunct Pluto in your fourth house intensifies emotional undercurrents tied to family, home, or old survival patterns.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
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As South Florida braces for a rare cold snap, community groups are stepping up efforts to help those living without a reliable shelter.—
Abby Dodge,
CBS News,
31 Dec. 2025
-
Residents of Los Angeles spent the day before Christmas under rain showers and winds of around 40 mph, while the New England area braces for heavy snow later in the week.—
Kathryn Prociv,
NBC news,
24 Dec. 2025
Verb
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The schedule stiffens over the final four with Green Bay and Jacksonville at home, a Christmas night game at Kansas City and then Week 18 at home against the Los Angeles Chargers.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
30 Nov. 2025
-
The light stiffens and grabs hold of us.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The new plan adjusts a person’s payments based on their income, with repayments ranging from 10 to 25 years.—
Boston Herald editorial staff,
Boston Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
-
The device itself uses a button array designed for rapid input, with low-latency LEDs for clear visual cues in play and an adaptive difficulty system that adjusts challenges based on performance.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Her go-to is the Madison Reed Radiant Hair Color Kit, a $35 at-home hair color box that conceals 100 percent of stubborn grays and enhances shine.—
Reece Andavolgyi,
InStyle,
7 Jan. 2026
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The denim industry has found an appreciation for linen and how the fiber enhances and refines what is traditionally considered to be a tough and rugged fabric.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
City officials say Tuesday's fire underscores the ongoing risks at the site and reinforces their call for broader state-level reform to address enforcement gaps at mobile home parks.—
Nina Burns,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Every photo-op in Washington, every meeting with Israeli officials, every call for international intervention reinforces the regime’s narrative and undermines the legitimacy of the protests.—
Bobby Ghosh,
Time,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Strengthens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strengthens. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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