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
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
Poison indoctrinates our youth in the classroom and is reinforced by the divisive rhetoric constantly spewed forth in so much of the media.
—
Brooke L. Rollins, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
Meanwhile, Paris's minimalist approach through houses like Hermès, Celine, and The Row will likely present brown in tonal, architectural expressions that reinforce silhouette and flow over decoration.
—Pooja Shah, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
In addition to the tougher test, the agency has resumed neighborhood investigations of citizenship applicants, reinforced background checks and tightened the evaluation of disability waivers.
—Daniel Shoer Roth, Miami Herald, 18 Sep. 2025
As the fireline is constructed, inspected or reinforced, mappers record those details to adjust the containment percentage.
—Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reinforce
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Brooke L. Rollins, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
Meanwhile, Paris's minimalist approach through houses like Hermès, Celine, and The Row will likely present brown in tonal, architectural expressions that reinforce silhouette and flow over decoration.
—Pooja Shah, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
In addition to the tougher test, the agency has resumed neighborhood investigations of citizenship applicants, reinforced background checks and tightened the evaluation of disability waivers.
—Daniel Shoer Roth, Miami Herald, 18 Sep. 2025
As the fireline is constructed, inspected or reinforced, mappers record those details to adjust the containment percentage.
—Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reinforce
Cite this Entry
“Reinforce.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reinforce. Accessed 20 Sep. 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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