strengthen

verb

ˈstreŋ(k)-thən How to pronounce strengthen (audio)
Definition of strengthennext
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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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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5
as in to stiffen
to make more harsh, uncompromising, or severe a bill was introduced to strengthen punishments for hate crimes

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of strengthen In an interview with Mental Floss, competitive eater Yasir Salem discusses how speed eaters will chew gum to strengthen their jaws to avoid fatigue during competitions. — Jennifer Borresen, USA Today, 3 July 2026 According to the company, the modernization project is intended to support long-term growth, attract skilled workers, and strengthen the site’s contribution to Italy’s energy sector and local economy. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 3 July 2026 Kelce has also focused his philanthropy on youth development and community support through his foundation work, backing programs aimed at empowering underserved kids and strengthening local communities. — Lily Brown, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the attack exposed Ukraine's shortage of missile interceptors and renewed his call for Europe to strengthen its own defenses. — Brittney Melton, NPR, 3 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for strengthen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strengthen
  1. harden
  2. fortify
  3. enhance
  4. brace
  5. stiffen
  6. adjust
  7. intensify
  8. bolster
Verb
  • The organizations that succeed build the platform first, establish a real control plane, harden the data and infrastructure layers, and then let teams scale agents on top of it.
    — Harsha Kotikela, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
  • The interview, released in August, was supposed to follow the show’s usual strange logic, but instead the exchange hardened around Gaza, with Friedland growing visibly emotional as Torres remained largely unmoved.
    — Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 29 June 2026
Definition of harden
Verb
  • Or mountains of chips covered in mole or salsa fortified with chile pasilla in Oaxaca.
    — Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026
  • All of this came after Florida’s four trades for star forward Brady Tkachuk, starting goaltender Jacob Markstrom, backup goaltender Akira Schmid and fourth-line forward Garnet Hathaway to fortify what on paper was already a stout roster.
    — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 1 July 2026
Definition of fortify
Verb
  • More than 30 Will County schools will receive funds to enhance security thanks to $129,777 in grants awarded by the county from the state’s cannabis sales tax revenue.
    — Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
  • Rainy weather driving tips 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, 5 July 2026
Definition of enhance
Verb
  • The entire domestic box office was bracing for the Independence Day doldrums.
    — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 5 July 2026
  • But true lambrusco, made in the Italian province of Emilia-Romagna is dry, bracing and delicately effervescent.
    — Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 3 July 2026
Definition of brace
Verb
  • Group 1 is pulmonary arterial hypertension, a rare and severe version that occurs when blood vessels in the lungs narrow and stiffen.
    — Elizabeth Cooney, STAT, 26 June 2026
  • Pulisic played a dynamic first half in the Americans' historic 4-1 victory over Paraguay to open their home World Cup nearly two weeks ago, but the AC Milan midfielder came off at halftime after an injury from training stiffened up.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 June 2026
Definition of stiffen
Verb
  • Organizers of celebrations months in the making had to adjust or cancel activities entirely as much of the East Coast sweltered under heat that approached and in many cases surpassed triple digits.
    — Steven Sloan, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026
  • State and local policymakers should do what’s in the public’s best interest and adjust their alcohol taxation accordingly.
    — Adam Hoffer, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
Definition of adjust
Verb
  • Lane closures remained in effect, snarling traffic for several miles as rush hour intensified.
    — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
  • Brown was the subject of rampant trade rumors in recent weeks, with those intensifying after the Celtics’ attempt to flip him for Giannis Antetokounmpo failed.
    — Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 6 July 2026
Definition of intensify
Verb
  • At the committee hearing, Wahab said the bill is meant to increase transparency over the county’s discretionary funds by bolstering public oversight of the county’s money and adding new checks on how taxpayer funds get spent.
    — Kyle Martin, Mercury News, 6 July 2026
  • The motorsport vibes are further bolstered by Track mode’s properly heavy steering and the brake system’s tuning.
    — Bradley Iger, ArsTechnica, 6 July 2026
Definition of bolster

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strengthen
strengthened
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Cite this Entry

“Strengthen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strengthen. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on strengthen

Nglish: Translation of strengthen for Spanish Speakers

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