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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of strengthen
The company is strengthening its structure with a growing team in Austria and Germany to support its growing production slate while remaining compact and dynamic to meet the needs of each project, according to Schubert.
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Ed Meza, Variety, 21 Feb. 2025
These savings should go to increasing Social Security benefits & strengthening VA health care.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 20 Feb. 2025
Philip Fong | Afp | Getty Images Japan’s inflation in January climbed 4% year on year, hitting its highest level since January 2023, further strengthening the case for rate hikes by the country’s central bank.
—Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 20 Feb. 2025
These items focus on restoring moisture, exfoliation, balancing your skin's chemical composition, delivering nutrients, and strengthening your skin barrier.
—Marisa Garshick, Verywell Health, 20 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for strengthen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strengthen
Verb
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Teen Shauna is hardened by the brutal losses of winter, and adult Taissa responds differently to reminders of the wilderness with Van by her side.—
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My eyes were hardening around the edges, just like my heart.—
Verb
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Teams can fortify position groups in multiple ways, but the Vikings are going to have to lean heavily on their salary cap space this offseason.—
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Image Second, Ukraine and its allies have fortified their alliances.—
Verb
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Everyone capable of helping with air defense must work to enhance the protection of human life.—
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The list includes: enhancing risk management by anticipating legal issues and providing proactive advice, fostering a culture of compliance by embracing technology, and developing a crisis management plan.—
Verb
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Meet the Champion Who Memorized 80 Numbers in 13.5 Seconds Civilians, too, are bracing for the fight.—
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Behind the scenes in Washington, officials are bracing for the summit to come together at the same breakneck speed at which the dynamic between Russia and the U.S. had changed over the course of the last several days.—
Verb
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But Miami’s defense stiffened considerably late in the game and in both overtimes.—
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Suddenly, Arlo’s eyes rolled back and his body stiffened.—
Verb
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The Bills’ scouting department and coaching staff will adjust, but any single opponent is a moving target.—
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However, like most nail trends, the colors of the American Manicure can always be adjusted.—
Verb
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Such measures risk destabilizing global supply networks, straining reliant industries, and intensifying geopolitical tensions.—
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That controversy intensified after West ran a commercial during Sunday’s Super Bowl LIX that aired in select markets including Los Angeles and directed viewers to the Yeezy site.—
Verb
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The two-time All-American was a disruptive force against the pass and run in his three seasons with the Wolverines, and would bolster a front seven that already includes Quinnen Williams, Jermaine Johnson and Will McDonald.—
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The Bulls’ Quad 1 win bolsters their resume, especially compared to some of the less consistent power conference teams in the middle of the pack.—
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Cite this Entry
“Strengthen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strengthen. Accessed 27 Feb. 2025.
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