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
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5
as in to stiffen
to make more harsh, uncompromising, or severe a bill was introduced to strengthen punishments for hate crimes

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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 In addition to rosemary oil, this formula also contains plant proteins that strengthen the hair (leading to less breakage—something that can make your hair appear thinner) and hydrating ceramides. Malia Griggs, Glamour, 17 Mar. 2025 Those are students, technicians, and researchers who go out and spend their money close to home, strengthening our local economies. Megan Barkdull, Orlando Sentinel, 16 Mar. 2025 During this time, Kara has been a key member in developing and strengthening this program. Heide Janssen, Orange County Register, 16 Mar. 2025 Matos made a leaping catch and crashed into the center-field wall, continuing to strengthen his case to be San Francisco’s fourth outfielder. Justice Delos Santos, The Mercury News, 14 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for strengthen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strengthen
Verb
  • Select and prepare the planting location while the plants are hardening off.
    Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 9 Mar. 2025
  • Public opinion in Europe has hardened against Russia, and there is a growing recognition that strategic dependency on the U.S. is untenable.
    Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • What hope had been fortified in the first half Wednesday had faded by the second.
    Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2025
  • Poles kicked things off with two trades for starting guards, not waiting until free agency to begin fortifying the group tasked with protecting Williams.
    Kevin Fishbain, The Athletic, 11 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Meditation helps counteract this by enhancing critical thinking skills, reducing emotional reactivity, and fostering a mindset of responsibility.
    Felicia Jackson, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Check out the slam dunk deals below that’ll enhance the game-viewing experience and keep sports lovers fed and hydrated.
    Moná Thomas, People.com, 19 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • But lower interest rates can also push inflation upward, and U.S. consumers have already begun bracing for higher inflation because of tariffs.
    Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2025
  • And Ubisoft appears to be bracing for that, post-launch.
    Paul Tassi, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • After a second quarter defensive letdown, the Heat stiffened against a team that leads the league in points per 100 possessions, at 122.4.
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 6 Mar. 2025
  • Exercise Too much sitting can cause muscles to stiffen, and moving around more can help ease aches and pains.
    Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 24 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • This is a threshold amount adjusted annually for inflation (currently $64,000 in 2025).
    Virginia La Torre Jeker, J.D., Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
  • Fourth quarter prices fall, rates rise Home list prices fell slightly (-4%) in the fourth quarter, after adjusting for inflation.
    Nerdwallet, Orange County Register, 10 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • One reason is likely intensifying EV competition, especially from companies like China’s BYD.
    Alan Ohnsman, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
  • But that pressure has been intensified by the Trump administration – especially on the offshore wind industry.
    Matt Egan, CNN, 10 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • This could bolster Google’s market lead in search at the expense of rival services such as Bing, DuckDuckGo, Perplexity, and even TikTok and Instagram, which are currently gaining popularity as search alternatives.
    Paul Monckton, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025
  • Immigration typically helps grow the economy by adding new workers to the labor force who need housing, food and other taxable consumables, while also bolstering programs like Social Security.
    Trevor Hughes, USA TODAY, 14 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Strengthen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strengthen. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.

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