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 United States is leading separate peace talks with Kyiv and Moscow as Ukrainian and Russian forces seek to strengthen their respective hands through territorial gains.
—
Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
Women directors can take a lead role in strengthening stakeholder relations.
—Committee Of 200, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
For decades, Bayern had been surrounded by the suspicion that their transfer policy was aimed at weakening Bundesliga opponents as much as strengthening their own squad.
—Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
Tensions have risen in recent years as the US and its partners sought to counter Chinese influence in the Indo-Pacific by strengthening alliances and courting smaller nations.
—Mike Valerio, CNN Money, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for strengthen
Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
Women directors can take a lead role in strengthening stakeholder relations.
—Committee Of 200, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
For decades, Bayern had been surrounded by the suspicion that their transfer policy was aimed at weakening Bundesliga opponents as much as strengthening their own squad.
—Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
Tensions have risen in recent years as the US and its partners sought to counter Chinese influence in the Indo-Pacific by strengthening alliances and courting smaller nations.
—Mike Valerio, CNN Money, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for strengthen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strengthen
Verb
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To start, harden off your seedlings over a two-week period and then plant them in a sunny, well-draining garden bed or 8- to 12-inch pots.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Apr. 2025
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The Mexican leader did harden her language on the topic following the Los Alegres del Barranco concert.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The slightly curved wand coats each lash in nourishing ingredients—biotin helps to fortify lashes to protect against breakage, while antioxidant-rich ingredients like peptides, vitamin E, and panthenol help to condition and hydrate.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
26 Mar. 2025
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Though the Steelers have made a concerted effort to fortify the trenches, this move that’s felt inevitable for some time.—
Mike DeFabo,
New York Times,
26 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Another company, Thyssenkrupp, then processed the recycled titanium to enhance its machining and deformation characteristics.—
Anthony DeMarco,
Forbes.com,
1 Apr. 2025
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In today’s rapidly evolving landscape of content production, AI has emerged as a powerful tool that can enhance creativity and get deliverables out quickly.—
Nancy Pulciano,
Rolling Stone,
31 Mar. 2025
Verb
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At the party, Greg pulls her aside, and Belinda braces herself — but Greg surprises her.—
Dave Nemetz,
TVLine,
30 Mar. 2025
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In Michigan's Upper Peninsula, counties including Alger, Luce, Delta, and Schoolcraft are bracing for up to 8 inches of snow and ice accumulations of up to half an inch through Sunday evening, while Dickinson, Iron, and Menominee Counties could see up to 6 inches of snow.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Inflation, perhaps stiffened by tariffs, and uncertainty over the future of the labor market have left consumers feeling uneasy.—
DeArbea Walker,
Forbes.com,
28 Mar. 2025
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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
Verb
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Will either require Teta adjusting his play style (not gonna happen) or Gyökeres needs to make significant changes in his play style to fit.—
Art de Roché,
New York Times,
3 Apr. 2025
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Earlier in March, Paltrow spoke with Vanity Fair for their April cover story and was asked about how her two kids have adjusted to being in college.—
Hannah Sacks,
People.com,
3 Apr. 2025
Verb
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This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio stations and available television stations for additional information and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
3 Apr. 2025
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But even as China’s drills have intensified, and its missiles, warships and fighter jets have advanced, many experts have doubted that the Chinese military could cross the Taiwan Strait with the speed and numbers needed for a successful invasion.—
Chris Buckley,
New York Times,
2 Apr. 2025
Verb
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While the Canes’ big swing for Mikko Rantanen didn’t work out as expected, this team still made a few moves to bolster this lineup.—
Shayna Goldman,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2025
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Beyond trying to bolster their technical filters, most anti-spam and anti-phishing emails sent out by IT departments as trial balloons still follow the same outdated patterns as in the past.—
Kevin Korte,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Strengthen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strengthen. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.
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