reinforce
verb
re·in·force
ˌrē-ən-ˈfȯrs 
variants
or less commonly reenforce
reinforced also reenforced; reinforcing also reenforcing; reinforces also reenforces
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
: to seek or get reinforcements
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
Results from 2024, with total grosses slipping 4% from 2023 to $8.57 billion, the number of wide releases down 6% from pre-Covid levels, and other factors have only reinforced his view.
—
Dade Hayes, Deadline, 26 Mar. 2025
The Dodgers are heavy favorites to defend their World Series crown, and a two-game sweep of the Chicago Cubs in the Tokyo Series last week only reinforced their front-runner status.
—Mark Ross, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025
To reinforce Novo’s claim of patent exclusivity, both versions are sold in auto-injectors.
—Arthur L. Kellermann, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025
What To Know After Trump threatened to cut off U.S. support for Ukraine and criticized Europe for its military reliance on Washington, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen devised a plan to reinforce the EU's defense capabilities.
—Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reinforce
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Dade Hayes, Deadline, 26 Mar. 2025
The Dodgers are heavy favorites to defend their World Series crown, and a two-game sweep of the Chicago Cubs in the Tokyo Series last week only reinforced their front-runner status.
—Mark Ross, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025
To reinforce Novo’s claim of patent exclusivity, both versions are sold in auto-injectors.
—Arthur L. Kellermann, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025
What To Know After Trump threatened to cut off U.S. support for Ukraine and criticized Europe for its military reliance on Washington, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen devised a plan to reinforce the EU's defense capabilities.
—Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reinforce
Cite this Entry
“Reinforce.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reinforce. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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