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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of strengthens
The bill also strengthens data collection and commercialization readiness requirements to improve accountability.
—
Noelle Harff, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Mar. 2026
How genealogy data strengthens data broker profiles Here is where the situation becomes even more concerning.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 18 Mar. 2026
Each strengthens the others, extending Disney’s reach in ways no one else can match.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 18 Mar. 2026
Your 11th House of Social Networks brightens as the intuitive Moon conjoins studious Mercury, so thoughtful outreach strengthens bonds and clarifies shared goals, especially within teams and community circles.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 17 Mar. 2026
Your compassion remains strong, yet choosing yourself first, even in a small way, strengthens boundaries and helps every connection feel more honest.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 16 Mar. 2026
The location also strengthens the company’s ability to coordinate both local and long-distance relocations while maintaining direct oversight of equipment and personnel.
—Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 12 Mar. 2026
The win not only snaps a three-game losing streak but also strengthens UCF’s NCAA Tournament resume with Selection Sunday a few days away.
—Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Mar. 2026
Imposing excessive taxes on legal cannabis strengthens illicit markets while weakening legal ones.
—Paul Armentano, Boston Herald, 11 Mar. 2026
Noelle Harff, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Mar. 2026
How genealogy data strengthens data broker profiles Here is where the situation becomes even more concerning.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 18 Mar. 2026
Each strengthens the others, extending Disney’s reach in ways no one else can match.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 18 Mar. 2026
Your 11th House of Social Networks brightens as the intuitive Moon conjoins studious Mercury, so thoughtful outreach strengthens bonds and clarifies shared goals, especially within teams and community circles.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 17 Mar. 2026
Your compassion remains strong, yet choosing yourself first, even in a small way, strengthens boundaries and helps every connection feel more honest.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 16 Mar. 2026
The location also strengthens the company’s ability to coordinate both local and long-distance relocations while maintaining direct oversight of equipment and personnel.
—Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 12 Mar. 2026
The win not only snaps a three-game losing streak but also strengthens UCF’s NCAA Tournament resume with Selection Sunday a few days away.
—Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Mar. 2026
Imposing excessive taxes on legal cannabis strengthens illicit markets while weakening legal ones.
—Paul Armentano, Boston Herald, 11 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strengthens
Verb
-
The glue slowly hardens, giving surgeons time to position the flap.—
Jolene Edgar,
Allure,
16 Mar. 2026
-
But there is a troubling shift that occurs when success hardens into excess and gives way to fear, a paradox that emerges all too often.—
Michael Sonnenfeldt,
Fortune,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Justin Faulk immediately fortifies Detroit’s second defense pair next to Ben Chiarot.—
The Athletic NHL Staff,
New York Times,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Adding keratin back into hair fortifies the strands ultimately yielding stronger, healthier hair.—
Sophie Wirt,
InStyle,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
At the same time, capital concentration intensifies the danger.—
Ed Gaskin,
Boston Herald,
15 Mar. 2026
-
And, as geopolitical competition intensifies around critical minerals, countries like Zimbabwe may gain leverage by positioning themselves as alternative suppliers in an industry still dominated by China.—
Ray Mwayera,
semafor.com,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
But the $110 billion sale of WBD to Paramount that Zaslav has orchestrated hung over the festivities, as the industry braces for the thousands of layoffs that will result from the consolidation.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
17 Mar. 2026
-
As South Florida braces for yet another spring break tourist deluge, here are 85 restaurants, bars and food trucks spanning Broward to Palm Beach counties waiting to serve them all with spotless kitchens.—
Phillip Valys,
Sun Sentinel,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
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What began as breathlessness hardened into silicosis, an irreversible disease that stiffens the lungs until even ordinary movement becomes effort.—
Dr. Céline Gounder,
CBS News,
12 Mar. 2026
-
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
Verb
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Acting in a movie involves a lot of waiting around, too—as the crew repositions cameras and adjusts the lighting, among other things—and those lulls provided me with plenty of time to feel queasy with anxiety.—
Naomi Fry,
New Yorker,
14 Mar. 2026
-
The model comes equipped with several intelligent driving technologies, including iATS all-terrain recognition and the iTAC intelligent torque control system, which continuously adjusts power distribution to maintain traction across different surfaces.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
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This exploration not only enhances her artistic practice but also reflects her opinionated and driven nature.—
Heide Janssen,
Oc Register,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Adding to the enjoyment of outdoor activities is the large lot, which enhances the sense of privacy when outside.—
James Alexander,
Hartford Courant,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The result also reinforces that Mars is now a planet that is almost frozen in time, with lands that are far more undisturbed than any on Earth.—
Joseph Howlett,
Scientific American,
18 Mar. 2026
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Their continued presence in Shanghai reinforces the city’s role as a platform for Chinese design talent even as these brands expand internationally.—
Yiling Pan,
Vogue,
16 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Strengthens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strengthens. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.
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