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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
The Franco-American Cultural Fund was established in 1996 with the intention of strengthening the dialogue between the American and French film communities.
—
Rosemary Rossi, Variety, 27 Oct. 2025
Regular updates close those gaps and strengthen your defense against phishing links and malicious downloads.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2025
While no decisions have been made regarding the use of next-generation submarine power sources, Koizumi said the development of submarines equipped with vertical launching system (VLS), is essential to strengthen Japan's standoff defense capabilities.
—Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
The contract marks Hyundai E&C’s first official participation in the early design phase of the initiative, strengthening the growing energy partnership between South Korea and the United States.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for strengthen
Rosemary Rossi, Variety, 27 Oct. 2025
Regular updates close those gaps and strengthen your defense against phishing links and malicious downloads.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2025
While no decisions have been made regarding the use of next-generation submarine power sources, Koizumi said the development of submarines equipped with vertical launching system (VLS), is essential to strengthen Japan's standoff defense capabilities.
—Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
The contract marks Hyundai E&C’s first official participation in the early design phase of the initiative, strengthening the growing energy partnership between South Korea and the United States.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for strengthen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strengthen
Verb
-
Fertilization and pruning encourage new growth, which does not have time to harden off before cold temperatures set in.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
24 Oct. 2025
-
The finale opens in the stillness that follows, grief hardening into vengeance.—
JP Mangalindan,
Time,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Today, scientists are still studying its properties, and the high priests of the antisugar brigade are still condemning it, while its romantic and even erotic reputation remains well fortified by Valentine’s Day.—
Aleksandra Crapanzano,
The Atlantic,
27 Oct. 2025
-
Meanwhile, the All’s Fair actress and soon-to-be-attorney has been quietly fortifying her Hidden Hills compound.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The research team revealed that the findings of the study offer new insights into enhancing the performance of electrochemical systems, including batteries, fuel cells, and sensors.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Some of these technologies are essential for ensuring the proper functioning of the service or website and cannot be disabled, while others are optional but serve to enhance the user experience in various ways.—
Walden Green,
Pitchfork,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Local farmers and businesses in Wisconsin are bracing for impact as funding for the state's federal food assistance program is set to run out by November.—
Anna Kleiber,
jsonline.com,
27 Oct. 2025
-
Jamaica’s Blue Mountains, which soar to 7,500 feet and receive nearly 200 inches of rain annually, are bracing for up to 40 inches of rainfall from Hurricane Melissa over just a few days.—
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
But the enormous turnout for the largely peaceful demonstrations appeared to stiffen their resolve.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
21 Oct. 2025
-
Drew stiffened as Theo Wiggins headed his way.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
United’s players were still adjusting to Amorim’s system.—
Laurie Whitwell,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
-
To test the effect of static charge on airborne nematodes, Ortega-Jiménez tethered living fruit flies to a live copper wire and adjusted the voltage between 100 and 700 volts, comparable to what insects would generate in the wild.—
Cody Cottier,
Scientific American,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Shared resources, intimate interactions, and unspoken bonds intensify.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Revelations and reports on both sides of the state line, including an Overland Park real estate deal tied to the Royals, have only intensified speculation about either team’s intentions.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
All of these factors are bolstered by people who contribute to the creation of new businesses and the growth of existing ones.—
Ben Zweig,
Time,
23 Oct. 2025
-
The market said the choice was a reflection of the country’s growing footprint as an international location, bolstered by a 30 percent cash rebate, as well as its bubbling local cinema scene led by the likes of Nabil Ayouch, Faouzi Bensaïdi, Asmae El Moudir, Halima Ouardiri and Maryam Touzani.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
23 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Strengthen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strengthen. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share