as in sturdy
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1
as in hardened
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 fortified
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 intensified
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 braced
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 strengthened
Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 1 Feb. 2026
The couple’s connection with the campus was strengthened when their dog — Angel, a bichon frisé — was treated for lymphoma there in 2018, the school’s press release said.
—Bay Area News Group, Mercury News, 30 Jan. 2026
The naloxone strengthened the man’s pulse and breathing, and his condition began to improve.
—Elissa Jorgensen, Dallas Morning News, 29 Jan. 2026
The acquisition of Moveworks — closed in December 2025 — strengthened enterprise search and conversational AI.
—Victor Dey, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
The People’s Bank of China strengthened the yuan daily reference rate by the most since August on Wednesday after the overnight slide in the dollar.
—Marcus Wong, Bloomberg, 28 Jan. 2026
Since the explosion, a PECO spokesperson said the company has assessed its existing indoor meters and reprioritized relocating them to outdoors, strengthened procedures and training protocols, and updated its public outreach process.
—Tom Dougherty, CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026
Zelnick said this deal strengthened CoreWeave’s long-term case by helping to further validate its technical leadership.
—Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 27 Jan. 2026
The dialogue between past and present will be strengthened further with the opening of the Jewish Academy in the Westend district.
—Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Jan. 2026
Verb
Displacement has further strengthened the relationship between the market and the fund, resulting in key initiatives delivered and managed within both.
—Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 1 Feb. 2026
The couple’s connection with the campus was strengthened when their dog — Angel, a bichon frisé — was treated for lymphoma there in 2018, the school’s press release said.
—Bay Area News Group, Mercury News, 30 Jan. 2026
The naloxone strengthened the man’s pulse and breathing, and his condition began to improve.
—Elissa Jorgensen, Dallas Morning News, 29 Jan. 2026
The acquisition of Moveworks — closed in December 2025 — strengthened enterprise search and conversational AI.
—Victor Dey, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
The People’s Bank of China strengthened the yuan daily reference rate by the most since August on Wednesday after the overnight slide in the dollar.
—Marcus Wong, Bloomberg, 28 Jan. 2026
Since the explosion, a PECO spokesperson said the company has assessed its existing indoor meters and reprioritized relocating them to outdoors, strengthened procedures and training protocols, and updated its public outreach process.
—Tom Dougherty, CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026
Zelnick said this deal strengthened CoreWeave’s long-term case by helping to further validate its technical leadership.
—Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 27 Jan. 2026
The dialogue between past and present will be strengthened further with the opening of the Jewish Academy in the Westend district.
—Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strengthened
Adjective
-
If possible, drive to a nearby sturdy building.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Be sure to cover your head and neck with your arms, and crawl under a sturdy table if possible.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
In any lesser performance, that character could’ve hardened into a villainous fairy-tale creature, the uncaring mother who has abandoned her child for the sake of her own unnatural career ambitions.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Perhaps a serious literary consideration of ambition, one that breaks through the shell of Millennial disillusionment that has hardened around the subject in recent years, would need to follow Orlean’s lead in focusing on craft.—
Lily Meyer,
The Atlantic,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Some cereals are fortified with additional vitamins and minerals.—
Nancy LeBrun,
Verywell Health,
31 Jan. 2026
-
That’s the American analogy, where the traditional governing elite of one of the great parties of much of the country committed itself to something not just in the defense of slavery, but to slavery-plus, fortified and amplified by treason.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
His announcement comes as Russia has intensified attacks on Ukraine’s energy and logistics infrastructure, worsening conditions for civilians as winter temperatures plunge.—
Stephen Sorace,
FOXNews.com,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Asked earlier about the impact of the press coverage during the years-long legal fight, the prince said the situation had only intensified.—
Simon Perry,
PEOPLE,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
An officer restricted his movements and braced him against a railing.—
Sofia Saric,
Miami Herald,
29 Jan. 2026
-
As a winter storm bore down on Austin late last week, residents braced for an onslaught of ice — and, many feared, ICE enforcement in the city.—
Emiliano Tahui Gómez,
Austin American Statesman,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
As the Timberwolves’ defense stiffened, their shots finally started falling.—
Jon Krawczynski,
New York Times,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Outrage from the left about that maneuver stiffened Democratic spirits for a confrontation in the fall.—
Niall Stanage,
The Hill,
31 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
But her thickened skin, along with her toughened reputation, felt supple now.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Trump announced a toughened stance on Russia’s war in Ukraine on Monday, setting a 50-day deadline for Moscow to reach a ceasefire or face sanctions.—
Alexis Simendinger,
The Hill,
18 July 2025
Verb
-
Vrabel adjusted the defense away from a blitz-happy scheme meant to rattle Broncos quarterback Jarrett Stidham.—
Chad Graff,
New York Times,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Sierra Canyon also adjusted at halftime and were quicker to the perimeter, chasing the Celts off the 3-point line.—
Justin Vigil Zuniga,
Daily News,
25 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Strengthened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strengthened. Accessed 5 Feb. 2026.
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