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
Kanaiyah's Law restricts where the state can house children and strengthens oversight of Maryland's child welfare system.
—
Adam Thompson, CBS News, 14 Apr. 2026
That kind of partner-specific tolerance combined with aggression toward outsiders strengthens cooperation and reduces competition.
—Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 13 Apr. 2026
Within this growing sub-brand portfolio, the Q06 strengthens coverage of the core midsize segment.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 12 Apr. 2026
In fact, road-tripping with your pup strengthens your bond and socializes them in ways that staying home doesn’t.
—Christina Shepherd McGuire, PEOPLE, 11 Apr. 2026
Still, the part that hasn’t been discussed nearly enough, and which strengthens his case even more in this race, is that Gilgeous-Alexander did all of this while playing without his primary wingman, Jalen Williams, for more than half the season.
—Josh Robbins, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2026
The cold strengthens, reinforces – like water into ice.
—Courtney Crowder, USA Today, 10 Apr. 2026
If both succeed, the case for scaling this kind of genetic connectivity program strengthens considerably.
—Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 10 Apr. 2026
Murphy made a similar assertion in his Wednesday ruling, also claiming that the Supreme Court not immediately lifting the blocks on ending TPS for Haiti and Syria before justices hear those arguments strengthens his ruling.
—Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 9 Apr. 2026
Adam Thompson, CBS News, 14 Apr. 2026
That kind of partner-specific tolerance combined with aggression toward outsiders strengthens cooperation and reduces competition.
—Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 13 Apr. 2026
Within this growing sub-brand portfolio, the Q06 strengthens coverage of the core midsize segment.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 12 Apr. 2026
In fact, road-tripping with your pup strengthens your bond and socializes them in ways that staying home doesn’t.
—Christina Shepherd McGuire, PEOPLE, 11 Apr. 2026
Still, the part that hasn’t been discussed nearly enough, and which strengthens his case even more in this race, is that Gilgeous-Alexander did all of this while playing without his primary wingman, Jalen Williams, for more than half the season.
—Josh Robbins, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2026
The cold strengthens, reinforces – like water into ice.
—Courtney Crowder, USA Today, 10 Apr. 2026
If both succeed, the case for scaling this kind of genetic connectivity program strengthens considerably.
—Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 10 Apr. 2026
Murphy made a similar assertion in his Wednesday ruling, also claiming that the Supreme Court not immediately lifting the blocks on ending TPS for Haiti and Syria before justices hear those arguments strengthens his ruling.
—Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 9 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strengthens
Verb
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Whether schools catch up, whether employers reverse the junior hiring freeze, and whether Washington produces anything resembling a workforce policy will determine whether the current anxiety hardens into something permanent.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
16 Apr. 2026
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The initially soft capsule is further processed in a specialized structure called the ventral pedal gland near the muscular foot of the whelk, which cross-links the capsule proteins and hardens the structure before it is laid.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Excited, yet anxious, over the prospect of reconnecting with the man that got away, the pair fortifies themselves with cocktails and bubbly during a boozy dinner.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
20 Apr. 2026
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Justin Faulk immediately fortifies Detroit’s second defense pair next to Ben Chiarot.—
The Athletic NHL Staff,
New York Times,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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That intensifies pressure on housing, infrastructure and the environment, Majorca Daily Bulletin reported.—
Jessica Mekles,
FOXNews.com,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Philadelphia is expected to reach 87 on Tuesday before the heat intensifies to a high of 91 later in the week.—
Denise Chow,
NBC news,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
While Silicon Valley braces for overnight layoffs, is China faring any better?—
Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
6 Apr. 2026
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Vietnam’s airlines are suspending some domestic routes as the country braces for jet fuel shortages.—
Nicholas Gordon,
Fortune,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The men’s Run 900 Ultra Black Shorts feature integrated Rheon technology, a reactive polymer that remains soft at rest but stiffens under pressure.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Footwear News,
10 Apr. 2026
-
The woman—Rose, apparently—stiffens slightly.—
Danielle Parker,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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This flexible holder attaches easily to your seatback tray table and adjusts to multiple angles, allowing for hands-free viewing without craning your neck.—
Samantha Leal,
Travel + Leisure,
18 Apr. 2026
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Most TVs have an ambient light sensor that automatically adjusts the panel brightness based on the room's lighting.—
Will Greenwald,
PC Magazine,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
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This integration enhances operational effectiveness and allows forces to maintain strategic advantage in contested environments.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
20 Apr. 2026
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Fragrances and discreetly placed incense will diffuse gradually throughout the rooms, creating a soft, steam-like presence that enhances the environment.—
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Today's decision reinforces that commitment.—
Dan Raby,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
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Aerial refueling highlights global reach and efficiency Beyond the visual insights, the test reinforces the B-21’s operational concept.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Strengthens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strengthens. Accessed 22 Apr. 2026.
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