reinforce

verb

re·​in·​force ˌrē-ən-ˈfȯrs 

variants or less commonly reenforce

reinforced also reenforced; reinforcing also reenforcing; reinforces also reenforces

transitive verb

1

: to strengthen by additional assistance, material, or support : make stronger or more pronounced

reinforce levees

reinforce the elbows of a jacket

reinforce ideas

2

: to strengthen or increase by fresh additions

reinforce our troops

were reinforcing their pitching staff

3

: to stimulate (a subject, such as an experimental animal) by reinforcement (see reinforcement sense 3)

also : to encourage (a response) by reinforcement

intransitive verb

: to seek or get reinforcements

reinforceable

ˌrē-ən-ˈfȯr-sə-bəl 

adjective

Synonyms

• back
• bolster
• buttress
• corroborate
• shore (up)
• substantiate
• support

Examples of reinforce in a Sentence

The captain sent out another squad to reinforce the troops.

Our camp is reinforced with supplies flown in by helicopter.

The levees will need to be reinforced.

The bad weather forecast only reinforces our decision to leave early tomorrow.

Some critics say that the movie reinforces negative stereotypes about the military.

We do our best to reinforce good conduct in the classroom.

Recent Examples on the Web

Mike Lipps reinforces this at Medallia with his six-question framework that comes from Patrick Lencioni’s The Advantage, which asks: What’s our purpose? —Alexander Puutio, Forbes, 14 Dec. 2024

Placing the Christmas Trees on the dunes reduces the number of trees going to the county landfill and helps reinforce the dunes. —Alan Taylor, The Atlantic, 13 Dec. 2024

This approach shows empathy while reinforcing their independence. 6. —Amy Morin, Contributor, CNBC, 13 Dec. 2024

Syria is a country where sectarian and social divides have been reinforced by war, and where the one common denominator was raw fear of a state whose suffocating security apparatus turned institutions into instruments of terror and abuse. —Scott Peterson, The Christian Science Monitor, 13 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

re- + inforce, alteration of enforce

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Kids Definition

reinforce

verb

re·​in·​force ˌrē-ən-ˈfō(ə)rs 

-ˈfȯ(ə)rs

1

: to strengthen by additional assistance, material, or support

reinforce the elbows of a jacket

reinforce the argument with facts

2

: to strengthen or increase by fresh additions

were reinforcing their pitching staff

reinforce our troops

3

: to stimulate (a person or animal) with a reinforcer

also : to increase the frequency of (a response) with a reinforcer

Medical Definition

reinforce

transitive verb

re·​in·​force ˌrē-ən-ˈfō(ə)rs, -ˈfȯ(ə)rs 

reinforced; reinforcing

1

: to strengthen by additional material or support : make stronger

reinforced with vitamins

2

: to stimulate (as an experimental animal or a student) by reinforcement

also : to encourage (a response) by reinforcement

reinforceable

-ə-bəl 

adjective