reinforce
verb
re·in·force
ˌrē-ən-ˈfȯrs 
variants
or less commonly reenforce
reinforced also reenforced; reinforcing also reenforcing; reinforces also reenforces
1
: to strengthen by additional assistance, material, or support : make stronger or more pronounced
reinforce levees
reinforce the elbows of a jacket
reinforce ideas
2
: to strengthen or increase by fresh additions
reinforce our troops
were reinforcing their pitching staff
3
: to stimulate (a subject, such as an experimental animal) by reinforcement (see reinforcement sense 3)
also
: to encourage (a response) by reinforcement
: to seek or get reinforcements
Synonyms
Examples of reinforce in a Sentence
The captain sent out another squad to reinforce the troops.
Our camp is reinforced with supplies flown in by helicopter.
The levees will need to be reinforced.
The bad weather forecast only reinforces our decision to leave early tomorrow.
Some critics say that the movie reinforces negative stereotypes about the military.
We do our best to reinforce good conduct in the classroom.
Recent Examples on the Web
Other good moisturizing ingredients, known as occlusives, deliver fats to reinforce the gaps in the epidermis.
—
Matt Fuchs, TIME, 6 Feb. 2025
Meanwhile, Mexico will deploy 10,000 National Guard troops to its northern border in a bid to reinforce the fight against drug trafficking, Sheinbaum said.
—Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Newsweek, 5 Feb. 2025
Some states are moving to create their own DOGE-like groups and create rules to reinforce Trump’s immigration policies in a rush to align with the president’s MAGA agenda.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 5 Feb. 2025
The other areas Spurs desperately needed to reinforce were defence and upfront.
—James McNicholas, The Athletic, 4 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for reinforce 
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Matt Fuchs, TIME, 6 Feb. 2025
Meanwhile, Mexico will deploy 10,000 National Guard troops to its northern border in a bid to reinforce the fight against drug trafficking, Sheinbaum said.
—Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Newsweek, 5 Feb. 2025
Some states are moving to create their own DOGE-like groups and create rules to reinforce Trump’s immigration policies in a rush to align with the president’s MAGA agenda.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 5 Feb. 2025
The other areas Spurs desperately needed to reinforce were defence and upfront.
—James McNicholas, The Athletic, 4 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for reinforce
Dictionary Entries Near reinforce
Cite this Entry
“Reinforce.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reinforce. Accessed 9 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
reinforce
verb
re·in·force
ˌrē-ən-ˈfō(ə)rs
-ˈfȯ(ə)rs
1
: to strengthen by additional assistance, material, or support
reinforce the elbows of a jacket
reinforce the argument with facts
2
: to strengthen or increase by fresh additions
were reinforcing their pitching staff
reinforce our troops
3
: to stimulate (a person or animal) with a reinforcer
also
: to increase the frequency of (a response) with a reinforcer
Medical Definition
reinforce
transitive verb
re·in·force
ˌrē-ən-ˈfō(ə)rs, -ˈfȯ(ə)rs
reinforced; reinforcing
1
: to strengthen by additional material or support : make stronger
reinforced with vitamins
2
: to stimulate (as an experimental animal or a student) by reinforcement
also
: to encourage (a response) by reinforcement
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