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

Polo strengthens to a hurricane in the Pacific Ocean off the western coast of Mexico. — ABC News, 21 Sep. 2026

This approach strengthens both domestic and international private investment in companies based in Spain, while also attracting foreign businesses that see Spain as an attractive location to establish their operations. — John Hopewell, Variety, 20 Sep. 2026

Every value expands upon this evolutionary process of growth, looping back to reinforce itself in a cycle that attracts like-minded individuals and strengthens the organization. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2026

This strengthens the back of the legs and teaches proper hip hinging, targeting the hamstrings, glutes and spinal erectors. — Nicole Bennett, AJC.com, 18 Sep. 2026

Overseeding strengthens grass roots, improves mowing ease, and promotes long-term lawn health. — Abby Monteil, The Spruce, 17 Sep. 2026

But what strengthens the party also weakens some of China’s instruments of power. — Andrew Mertha, Foreign Affairs, 17 Sep. 2026

That likely strengthens the case for a Federal Reserve rate hike to tame inflation and prevent price increases from becoming more entrenched. — Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2026

The acquisition of Hugging Face only strengthens its AI ecosystem. — Alexa Lomonaco, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2026