1
as in to harden
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to fortify
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
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3
as in to enhance
to make markedly greater in measure or degree
encouraged the boarding school students to strengthen their ties with the community by doing public service
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4
as in to brace
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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of strengthen
Another key reason the Russian ruble has strengthened this year is that Russian exporters, in particular the oil industry, have been converting foreign earnings back into rubles, analysts said.
—
Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 6 June 2025
Carrier raised an unexpected $10 billion from shedding four businesses while striking acquisitions, including the $13 billion purchase of Viessmann Climate Solutions, to strengthen its position in its most attractive markets.
—Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 6 June 2025
Establish security standards and procedures while participating in building and strengthening cybersecurity teams.
—Caroline Castrillon, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
Police Chief Neil Noakes spent two decades in uniform, working to reduce violent crimes, support officers’ mental wellness, and strengthen trust in Fort Worth.
—Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for strengthen
Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 6 June 2025
Carrier raised an unexpected $10 billion from shedding four businesses while striking acquisitions, including the $13 billion purchase of Viessmann Climate Solutions, to strengthen its position in its most attractive markets.
—Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 6 June 2025
Establish security standards and procedures while participating in building and strengthening cybersecurity teams.
—Caroline Castrillon, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
Police Chief Neil Noakes spent two decades in uniform, working to reduce violent crimes, support officers’ mental wellness, and strengthen trust in Fort Worth.
—Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for strengthen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strengthen
Verb
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Democratic policies regarding immigration have evolved as attitudes, even among Latinos, have hardened after record border crossings during former President Joe Biden‘s administration.—
Naomi Lim,
The Washington Examiner,
13 June 2025
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Now, your union advised agricultural employers to harden work sites.—
A Martínez,
NPR,
13 June 2025
Verb
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Ureña, a hard-throwing right-hander who was signed on Tuesday to help fortify a bullpen that has been ravaged by injuries, replaced Dreyer with a runner on first and one out in the sixth and gave up a single to Pete Alonso.—
Mike Digiovanna,
Oc Register,
5 June 2025
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Bristol Myers Squibb on Monday made a splashy move to fortify its drug pipeline.—
Natasha Abellard,
CNBC,
2 June 2025
Verb
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As disparate data sources come together through intelligent ETL processes enhanced by AI, the next step is managing the security, authentication and role-level access of the different departments and users.—
Lori Schafer,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
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Switch on headlights - Even during daylight hours, using headlights can enhance visibility and signal your presence to other drivers.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 June 2025
Verb
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Some of the nation’s leading tourist destinations, including Orlando, Miami and Los Angeles, are bracing for how the decline will impact businesses that rely on spending from international travelers.—
Jason Carroll,
CNN Money,
7 June 2025
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Analysts were bracing for a weaker result that would reflect the impact of Trump’s tariff policies, and other signs of a potentially slowing economy.—
Kevin Breuninger,Jeff Cox,
CNBC,
6 June 2025
Verb
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The competition has definitely stiffened, after all.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
5 June 2025
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The defense stiffened, forcing two punts and a turnover on downs to set up Chris Callahan’s game-winning 28-yard kick.—
David Ubben,
New York Times,
22 May 2025
Verb
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Other quarterbacks move up to the line of scrimmage with time to survey the defense and adjust, if warranted.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
14 June 2025
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As the fireline is constructed, inspected or reinforced, mappers record those details to adjust the containment percentage.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
14 June 2025
Verb
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This influx of graduates has significantly intensified competition at the entry level, prompting employers to consider factors beyond academic qualifications when making hiring decisions.—
Kara Dennison,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2025
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In response, Trump authorized thousands of National Guards to the California city, and 700 Marines arrived on Tuesday, intensifying tensions between the federal and state government.—
Mandy Taheri,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 June 2025
Verb
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Democrats on the House Small Business Committee have urged the Trump administration to bolster support for small businesses and ensure that federal programs are adequately funded, while also seeking to remove barriers to funding.—
Dan Gooding
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 June 2025
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This fiscal year, the program issued more than $12 million in federal funding to nonprofits, municipal police and state agencies to bolster safety for all users of the road.—
Lance Reynolds,
Boston Herald,
6 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Strengthen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strengthen. Accessed 20 Jun. 2025.
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