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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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
The success of Apple’s AirPods and other wireless earbuds could strengthen the case for smart glasses.
—
Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 15 Sep. 2025
Strategic firing operations are underway and planned to strengthen control features and limit additional spread.
—Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Building and strengthening one-on-one relationships is the way to grow and defend yourself.
—Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 13 Sep. 2025
This compound improves blood flow, enhances gas exchange, and strengthens muscle contractions, according to Sue-Ellen Anderson-Haynes, MS, RDN, a registered dietitian at 360Girls&Women and a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
—Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for strengthen
Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 15 Sep. 2025
Strategic firing operations are underway and planned to strengthen control features and limit additional spread.
—Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Building and strengthening one-on-one relationships is the way to grow and defend yourself.
—Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 13 Sep. 2025
This compound improves blood flow, enhances gas exchange, and strengthens muscle contractions, according to Sue-Ellen Anderson-Haynes, MS, RDN, a registered dietitian at 360Girls&Women and a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
—Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for strengthen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strengthen
Verb
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Few have no opinion of her anymore; stances have hardened in hindsight.—
Rob Picheta,
CNN Money,
20 Sep. 2025
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Perceptions of the economy's direction have hardened, too.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Richer creams packed with hydrating ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid that fortify the skin’s barrier from the coming windchill and the telltale skin tightness from indoor heating take center stage on our top shelves.—
Tanya Akim,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
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Just this past offseason Miami put an emphasis on fortifying the trenches, correcting a past wrong, adding players with size and girth on the offensive and defensive line via the NFL Draft.—
Omar Kelly,
Miami Herald,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Researchers revealed that their work highlights the effectiveness of electronic band structure engineering in enhancing the thermoelectric performance of superionic conductors.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
19 Sep. 2025
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Scott echoed Tillis’s sentiments and added that the legislation would be vital to enhance security on public transit.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
The Washington Examiner,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Houston is bracing for the loss of Framber Valdez in free agency and has already lost three other starters — Ronel Blanco, Hayden Wesneski and Brandon Walter — to elbow surgeries that will keep them out for some portion of next season.—
Chandler Rome,
New York Times,
15 Sep. 2025
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Ravens Pro Bowl edge rusher Kyle Van Noy is bracing to potentially miss multiple games due to a hamstring injury suffered Sunday, per source.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The heart muscle may have thickened slightly, and arteries have likely stiffened, which can raise blood pressure.—
Lauryn Higgins,
Time,
17 Sep. 2025
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China has been a consistent source of stress for Apple, given the stiffening smartphone competition and its huge manufacturing presence in the country.—
Morgan Chittum,
CNBC,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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By carefully adjusting the conditions of its trap and then releasing it briefly, the researchers could measure its velocity distribution.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
19 Sep. 2025
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Originally devised in the mid-1990s by financial adviser Bill Bengen, the rule suggested retirees could safely withdraw 4 percent of their portfolio in the first year of retirement and then continue withdrawing the same amount, adjusted for inflation, each year after.—
Aliss Higham,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Officials say these events have intensified threat assessments and prompted tighter control over all physical and aerial access points.—
Amanda Castro
Hannah Parry
Shane Croucher
Jack Royston,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Sep. 2025
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Under leader Xi Jinping, China has intensified military, diplomatic and economic pressure on Taiwan, regularly sending fighter jets and warships, looking to squeeze its presence on the world stage.—
Wayne Chang,
CNN Money,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Such a move could bolster CSX's own acquisition prospects, Spracklin said.—
Sean Conlon,
CNBC,
18 Sep. 2025
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The case against Cracker Barrel Biglari’s attack on Cracker Barrel began in the early 2010s when his reputation was bolstered by Steak ‘n Shake’s turnaround.—
Lily Mae Lazarus,
Fortune,
18 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Strengthen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strengthen. Accessed 23 Sep. 2025.
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