1
as in hardens
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 fortifies
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 intensifies
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 braces
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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Recent Examples of strengthens
Snow is expected to pile up in parts of the southern Appalachians, the Carolinas and southern Virginia late Friday night into Saturday as the storm rapidly strengthens offshore.
—
Briana Waxman, CNN Money, 30 Jan. 2026
Consistent, moderate exercise strengthens the immune system and reduces the frequency and severity of common illnesses.
—Fred Sassani, Austin American Statesman, 29 Jan. 2026
Sincere gratitude strengthens relationships.
—Sho Dewan, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Florida officials said the investment strengthens the state’s position in advanced computing, national defense, data security, and critical research areas such as life sciences and transportation.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 28 Jan. 2026
Weather predictions show rain south of Interstate 10 along the Gulf Coast starting on Friday, which could become snow mixed with rain further north if the storm strengthens.
—Irene Wright, USA Today, 27 Jan. 2026
Protect quiet moments, because peace strengthens your practical confidence.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 26 Jan. 2026
Its approach not only delivers at scale, but also strengthens supply chains, creates skilled jobs, and supports a circular energy economy—proof that innovation and responsibility can advance together.
—CBS News, 23 Jan. 2026
Lastly, the acquisition strengthens Capital One's balance sheet, allowing for aggressive share repurchases in the future.
—CNBC, 23 Jan. 2026
Briana Waxman, CNN Money, 30 Jan. 2026
Consistent, moderate exercise strengthens the immune system and reduces the frequency and severity of common illnesses.
—Fred Sassani, Austin American Statesman, 29 Jan. 2026
Sincere gratitude strengthens relationships.
—Sho Dewan, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Florida officials said the investment strengthens the state’s position in advanced computing, national defense, data security, and critical research areas such as life sciences and transportation.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 28 Jan. 2026
Weather predictions show rain south of Interstate 10 along the Gulf Coast starting on Friday, which could become snow mixed with rain further north if the storm strengthens.
—Irene Wright, USA Today, 27 Jan. 2026
Protect quiet moments, because peace strengthens your practical confidence.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 26 Jan. 2026
Its approach not only delivers at scale, but also strengthens supply chains, creates skilled jobs, and supports a circular energy economy—proof that innovation and responsibility can advance together.
—CBS News, 23 Jan. 2026
Lastly, the acquisition strengthens Capital One's balance sheet, allowing for aggressive share repurchases in the future.
—CNBC, 23 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strengthens
Verb
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The presence of an external enemy unifies the security forces, hardens their resolve, prevents defections, and makes internal fractures less likely.—
Omid Memarian,
The Atlantic,
25 Jan. 2026
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The shoots are harvested before the plant hardens into the woody stalks that bamboo is famous for — and that pandas chew.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Adding keratin back into hair fortifies the strands ultimately yielding stronger, healthier hair.—
Sophie Wirt,
InStyle,
30 Jan. 2026
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That night, Pam fortifies herself with a few drinks and answers when the phone rings.—
Allegra Goodman,
New Yorker,
4 Jan. 2026
Verb
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March’s lunar eclipse in Virgo — activating your fifth house of love and passion — intensifies attraction, desire and romantic chemistry, pushing you to take a risk or end a dynamic that no longer brings you joy.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
26 Jan. 2026
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Microsoft has introduced the Maia 200, its second-generation in-house AI chip, as competition intensifies around the cost of running large models.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The South Carolina Department of Public Health (SCDPH) has confirmed a second death from last weekend's winter storm as the state braces for more extreme weather in the coming days.—
Rachel Wolf,
FOXNews.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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New Hampshire New Hampshire Public Radio has resources for finding shelters and staying safe as the state braces for extreme cold, including temperatures of -30 and wind gusts of up to 100 miles per hour.—
Anusha Mathur,
NPR,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The luxury retailer, weighed down by debt, is under pressure as consumers shift their shopping habits and competition stiffens.—
Brian Womack,
Dallas Morning News,
29 Jan. 2026
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The schedule stiffens over the final four with Green Bay and Jacksonville at home, a Christmas night game at Kansas City and then Week 18 at home against the Los Angeles Chargers.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
30 Nov. 2025
Verb
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When the winemaker adjusts fermentation, canopy management, or oak regimes, the kitchen adapts its pairings.—
Emily Price,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
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Antidepressants are known to have adverse effects that often fade as your body adjusts.—
The New York Times News Service Syndicate,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Heather Rose explains how living quietly enhances her writing.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Jan. 2026
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More critically, this is another update where Apple enhances iOS 26.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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With Unit 3 advancing smoothly, Zhangzhou reinforces China’s push to scale nuclear construction faster and more efficiently.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
28 Jan. 2026
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Every bedroom opens to an indoor-outdoor bathroom, a small but telling detail that reinforces how closely the design considers its surroundings, while the infinity pool runs along the edge of the property with uninterrupted jungle views.—
Erika Owen,
Architectural Digest,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Strengthens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strengthens. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.
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