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

By contrast, multiple court cases and investigations have only reinforced in Lithuania a carapace of official secrecy — and displays of loyalty to the United States by a vulnerable Baltic country fearful of an increasingly aggressive Russia. —Andrew Higgins, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2024

In May 2022, Macron proposed creating a European Political Community, a 44-nation forum aimed at reinforcing political coordination on the continent. —Célia Belin, Foreign Affairs, 5 Apr. 2024

World Central Kitchen 10h ago / 8:18 AM PDT Aid convoy strike reinforces fears over Rafah invasion, Sec. —NBC News, 5 Apr. 2024

Kate installed this material in a grid pattern to reinforce and provide additional protection from larger local predators such as bobcats, coyotes, and bears. —Kristin Guy, Sunset Magazine, 4 Apr. 2024

But rather than making the system more transparent as lawmakers intended, Krass’ guidance mostly reinforced the individual services’ policies, which keep court records largely inaccessible to the public. —Megan Rose, ProPublica, 3 Apr. 2024

The James Beard Foundation has reinforced a recent commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion in its vetting of award recipients. —Detroit Free Press, 3 Apr. 2024

In contrast, Iger received a resounding 94% of shareholders’ support — a decisive victory that reinforces his popularity among large institutional investors as well as small shareholders who are nostalgic for the company, its stories and theme parks. —Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2024

And so whoever the next president is needs to continue to reinforce these alliances. —Vera Bergengruen, TIME, 1 Apr. 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