Synonyms of strengthens

strengthens

verb

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

• hardens
• fortifies
• toughens
• energizes
• tempers
• beefs (up)
• invigorates
• vitalizes
• firms (up)
• anneals
• tones (up)
• restrengthens

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• weakens
• hurts
• impairs
• paralyzes
• injures
• cripples
• harms
• damages
• debilitates
• undermines
• enfeebles
• enervates
• breaks down
• incapacitates
• undercuts
• wears out
• saps

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

• fortifies
• hardens
• adjusts
• reinforces
• bolsters
• toughens
• inures
• adapts
• boosts
• steels
• supports
• braces
• seasons
• invigorates
• vitalizes
• indurates
• enforces
• immunizes
• tempers
• acclimatizes
• anneals
• acclimates
• accustoms
• buttresses
• conditions
• breaks in
• trains
• habituates
• forearms
• naturalizes
• props (up)
• limbers (up)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• softens
• weakens
• saps
• exhausts
• cripples
• enfeebles
• sensitizes
• incapacitates
• emasculates
• enervates
• debilitates
• hamstrings

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

• intensifies
• enhances
• deepens
• heightens
• consolidates
• reinforces
• broadens
• boosts
• sharpens
• amplifies
• accentuates
• expands
• redoubles
• magnifies
• emphasizes
• lengthens
• augments
• extends
• steps up
• accelerates
• maximizes
• amps (up)
• enforces
• enlarges
• beefs (up)
• hastens
• quickens
• enlivens
• stresses
• exacerbates
• points (up)
• supplements
• aggravates
• restrengthens
• jazzes (up)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• reduces
• decreases
• weakens
• diminishes
• moderates
• lessens
• tones (down)
• abates
• subdues
• wanes
• recedes
• subsides
• alleviates
• tapers (off)
• lightens
• eases
• lets up (on)
• dwindles

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

• fortifies
• braces
• nerves
• readies
• poises
• reinforces
• forearms
• bolsters
• steels
• arms
• enforces
• toughens
• sustains
• inures
• psyches (up)
• hardens
• encourages
• emboldens
• inspires
• heartens
• boosts
• buttresses
• supports
• stirs
• comforts
• rouses
• seasons
• buoys (up)
• cheers (up)
• props (up)
• rallies

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• shakes
• discourages
• undermines
• demoralizes
• weakens
• disheartens
• unnerves
• daunts
• softens
• undercuts
• saps
• debilitates
• enfeebles
• dispirits
• enervates
• tires
• psychs (out)
• prostrates

5

as in stiffens

to make more harsh, uncompromising, or severe

a bill was introduced to strengthen punishments for hate crimes

Synonyms & Similar Words

• stiffens
• toughens
• hardens
• harshens

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• eases
• lessens
• softens
• moderates
• ameliorates

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of strengthens

Research also suggested that traveling together strengthens family bonds, and experiencing new cultures firsthand helps children expand their worldview. — Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026

Antimony strengthens ammunition and armor and supports military technologies, including night-vision systems and flares. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 27 Aug. 2026

The episode highlights the dangers of placing party loyalty above principle and calls for an electoral system that gives voters greater choice, rewards compromise and strengthens representative democracy. — Kevin Richardson, Baltimore Sun, 25 Aug. 2026

Your authority strengthens when your private foundation is not treated as optional. — Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 21 Aug. 2026

However, the same methodology was used throughout the study period, which strengthens the finding of an increase over time. — Faye Chiu, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026

Assistants reciprocate with honesty and clear communication that often complements, prepares and protects their leader, and the cycle strengthens with every round. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Two goals and one assist in pre-season certainly strengthens his appeal. — Holly Shand, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026

Close-Grip Bench Press The close-grip bench press strengthens the triceps while also engaging the chest and anterior shoulders. — Jakob Roze, HEALTH, 19 Aug. 2026