strengthen

verb

strength·​en ˈstreŋ(k)-thən How to pronounce strengthen (audio)
ˈstren(t)-
strengthened; strengthening
ˈstreŋ(k)th-niŋ
ˈstren(t)th-;
  ˈstreŋ(k)-thə- How to pronounce strengthen (audio)
ˈstren(t)-
Synonyms of strengthennext

transitive verb

: to make stronger, more forceful, more effective, etc.
These exercises will strengthen your abdominal muscles.

intransitive verb

: to become stronger, more forceful, more effective, etc.
The winds are expected to strengthen.
strengthener
ˈstreŋ(k)th-nər
ˈstren(t)th-;
  ˈstreŋ(k)-thə- How to pronounce strengthen (audio)
ˈstren(t)-
noun

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Bhatia made it through 47 holes of this signature event until his first bogey when the strengthening wind sent his tee shot well over the green on the par-3 12th. Arkansas Online, 15 Feb. 2026 His campaign website emphasizes strengthening federal wildfire suppression, adopting Medicare for All and fixing water shortages. Mathew Miranda february 14, Sacbee.com, 14 Feb. 2026 The two most important and undervalued components to strengthen our grid are energy conservation and the protection of renewable energy. Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026 My own passage into and back out of unbelief—one marked by a close reading of works that earlier illiberal societies had attempted to suppress on religious grounds—has strengthened my liberal commitments. Christopher Beha, New Yorker, 14 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for strengthen

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of strengthen was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Strengthen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/strengthen. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

strengthen

verb
strength·​en ˈstreŋ(k)-thən How to pronounce strengthen (audio)
strengthened; strengthening ˈstreŋ(k)th-(ə-)niŋ How to pronounce strengthen (audio)
: to make or become stronger
strengthener noun

More from Merriam-Webster on strengthen

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