strengthen
verb
strength·en
ˈstreŋ(k)-thən 
ˈstren(t)-
strengthened; strengthening
ˈstreŋ(k)th-niŋ,
ˈstren(t)th-;
ˈstreŋ(k)-thə-
ˈstren(t)-
: to make stronger, more forceful, more effective, etc.
These exercises will strengthen your abdominal muscles.
: to become stronger, more forceful, more effective, etc.
The winds are expected to strengthen.
Examples of strengthen in a Sentence
These exercises will strengthen your stomach muscles.
He takes herbs to strengthen his immune system.
The development of new electronic products has strengthened the company's position as the leader in digital technology.
Holidays often serve to strengthen bonds between family members.
Their financial situation strengthened her determination to find a new career.
The team has been strengthened by the addition of several new players.
The winds are expected to strengthen.
The economy is slowly strengthening.
The Canadian dollar is strengthening against the U.S. dollar.
The trade restrictions will strengthen the pound.
Recent Examples on the Web
All-Four Kick Backs This exercise strengthens the gluteal muscles, or glutes (butt muscles), and the hamstrings (back thigh muscles).
—
Jakob Roze, Health, 31 Oct. 2025
Lai has pledged to increase military spending to 5% of GDP by 2030, strengthening the island’s defenses in the face of a rising threat from its giant neighbor China.
—Reuters, NBC news, 31 Oct. 2025
Path of destruction In the Caribbean, hotter-than-average waters paired with minimally disruptive winds higher in the atmosphere to create the perfect fuel and prime conditions for Melissa to strengthen.
—Mitchell McCluskey, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025
In addition, air that's warmer holds more moisture and warmer oceans reduce wind shear, allowing storms to strengthen more quickly and become more powerful.
—Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for strengthen
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Jakob Roze, Health, 31 Oct. 2025
Lai has pledged to increase military spending to 5% of GDP by 2030, strengthening the island’s defenses in the face of a rising threat from its giant neighbor China.
—Reuters, NBC news, 31 Oct. 2025
Path of destruction In the Caribbean, hotter-than-average waters paired with minimally disruptive winds higher in the atmosphere to create the perfect fuel and prime conditions for Melissa to strengthen.
—Mitchell McCluskey, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025
In addition, air that's warmer holds more moisture and warmer oceans reduce wind shear, allowing storms to strengthen more quickly and become more powerful.
—Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for strengthen
Cite this Entry
“Strengthen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/strengthen. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
strengthen
verb
strength·en
ˈstreŋ(k)-thən
strengthened; strengthening
ˈstreŋ(k)th-(ə-)niŋ
: to make or become stronger
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