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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
The dead hang strengthens the shoulders and decompresses the spine, combating the effects of gravity over time.
—
Saralyn Ward, Health, 15 May 2026
Keith says the bigger picture now is that this visit further strengthens that agreement.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 15 May 2026
Wald and Spivak add that the upcoming corporate changes in Hollywood could further strengthen SPT’s relationship with buyers.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 15 May 2026
In addition to presentation, candidates should continue strengthening their résumés and building relevant experience.
—Ben Ambridge, JSTOR Daily, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for strengthen
Saralyn Ward, Health, 15 May 2026
Keith says the bigger picture now is that this visit further strengthens that agreement.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 15 May 2026
Wald and Spivak add that the upcoming corporate changes in Hollywood could further strengthen SPT’s relationship with buyers.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 15 May 2026
In addition to presentation, candidates should continue strengthening their résumés and building relevant experience.
—Ben Ambridge, JSTOR Daily, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for strengthen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strengthen
Verb
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Scores of hardened, dangerous criminals are being paroled every year thanks to the Massachusetts Parole Board appointed by liberal Democrat Maura Healey.—
Joe Battenfeld,
Boston Herald,
14 May 2026
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The process relies on urushi, a natural lacquer derived from tree sap that hardens over time into a durable, food-safe coating.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
14 May 2026
Verb
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The weekend only fortified the belief that things will turn.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 May 2026
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Introduced last year in partnership with Projeto Paradiso in a bid to fortify the presence of Brazilian cinema in the global arena, Screen Brasil selects three projects and their respective sales agents.—
Anna Marie de la Fuente,
Variety,
18 May 2026
Verb
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Both forwards scored Wednesday, and both enhanced the opportunities of several teammates.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 May 2026
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The dermatology and wellness center blends functional and aesthetic medicine to offer treatments designed to enhance natural features rather than dramatically alter them.—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
14 May 2026
Verb
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Eveningside’s smaller arms holding on to the chains while Morningside’s longer arms propelled them, her fists and excess joints braced against the ground; their span lengthening, extending and retracting in the girls’ to and fro.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 May 2026
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Lone lost both arms in an accident at the age of eight and taught himself to play cricket using his legs, batting with the bat braced between his neck and chin and bowling with his feet.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
19 May 2026
Verb
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Golden State’s schedule stiffens with an upcoming trip to New York and Indiana.—
Nathan Canilao,
Mercury News,
14 May 2026
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There was a sudden spring shower, which stiffened into rain.—
Sam Knight,
New Yorker,
14 May 2026
Verb
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The brand is also realistic about breaking in new shoes—especially ones with orthotic features—and recommends only wearing these for a couple of hours for the first few days so that your feet can adjust.—
Jessie Quinn,
StyleCaster,
15 May 2026
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The strap can be adjusted to your liking, ranging from 16 to 29 inches at its longest.—
Claire West,
PEOPLE,
15 May 2026
Verb
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But the indictment’s most consequential allegations center on what happened after Washington intensified sanctions pressure on Venezuela’s oil industry beginning in 2019.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
19 May 2026
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Higher output at sea The findings arrive as governments worldwide intensify efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions and expand renewable energy generation in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
19 May 2026
Verb
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But the videos have also appeared to bolster his popularity online, which Woolley said could force his opponents to take him more seriously.—
Angela Yang,
NBC news,
15 May 2026
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In 2024, the Biden administration set aside $20 billion to bolster port security initiatives over the next five years.—
Glenn Taylor,
Footwear News,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Strengthen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strengthen. Accessed 23 May. 2026.
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