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
Trump is also likely to demand that Seoul foot more of the bill for housing American troops on the peninsula, stress-testing the U.S.-South Korean alliance at a time when North Korea is strengthening its military ties with Russia.
—
John Delury, Foreign Affairs, 27 Jan. 2025
The game’s best unit was the Eagles’ offensive line that Roseman strengthened in March by signing ex-Jets tackle Mekhi Becton and slotting him at right guard, where he’s had a career-best season.
—Ryan Finley, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Jan. 2025
In 2022, Congress strengthened the law requiring administrations to give a detailed reasoning for the firing of an IG.
—Katherine Faulders, ABC News, 26 Jan. 2025
States can follow the FTC's lead by strengthening anti-trust laws, and enforcing them aggressively, to fight the harm to workers from mergers and other forms of corporate over-concentration—like the Albertsons-Kroger merger, which federal agencies and state attorneys general blocked.
—Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for strengthen 
John Delury, Foreign Affairs, 27 Jan. 2025
The game’s best unit was the Eagles’ offensive line that Roseman strengthened in March by signing ex-Jets tackle Mekhi Becton and slotting him at right guard, where he’s had a career-best season.
—Ryan Finley, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Jan. 2025
In 2022, Congress strengthened the law requiring administrations to give a detailed reasoning for the firing of an IG.
—Katherine Faulders, ABC News, 26 Jan. 2025
States can follow the FTC's lead by strengthening anti-trust laws, and enforcing them aggressively, to fight the harm to workers from mergers and other forms of corporate over-concentration—like the Albertsons-Kroger merger, which federal agencies and state attorneys general blocked.
—Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for strengthen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strengthen
Verb
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These processes need to be sufficiently hardened by providers to prevent trivial abuse by these attackers and to maintain the security benefits of using passkeys.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes,
21 Jan. 2025
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Let the wax harden before popping the waxy dryer lint firestarters out of the carton.—
Rabekah Henderson,
Southern Living,
19 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Milk can be fortified with up to 84 IU of vitamin D per 100 grams, according to the Food and Drug Administration's website.—
Christine Rousselle,
Fox News,
24 Jan. 2025
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Vistra has been fortifying their nuclear power generation capability including a $3.2 billion dollar deal to acquire a 15% stake in a subsidiary firm, Vistra Vision.—
Todd Gordon,
CNBC,
23 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Here’s what to look for: Includes 27 vitamins and minerals to enhance nutrition Smooth consistency when mixed with water Higher cost per serving Flavors may be too rich for some Huel Complete Protein powder is a solid all-around option for anyone looking for a balanced, quick nutrition boost.—
Jordan Galloway,
SELF,
30 Jan. 2025
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Tennant explains that, in recent years, compression socks have become a staple for triathletes and marathon runners looking to enhance performance and recovery.—
Sandra Rose Salathe,
Flow Space,
30 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Boston residents are bracing for more wintry weather as the National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a snow squall threat through Wednesday.—
Jonathan Granoff,
Newsweek,
29 Jan. 2025
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Traders are also bracing for a smaller-than-normal move in the market.—
Fred Imbert,
CNBC,
29 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Spritzing the end of the thread with hairspray will stiffen it just enough to be able to be threaded more easily, but keeps enough flexibility to be used.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
5 Jan. 2025
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Restrictive cardiomyopathy: Another rare type, this causes heart muscles to stiffen, which in turn prevents the heart’s ventricles from filling with enough blood to pump throughout the body.—
Elizabeth Millard,
TIME,
18 Dec. 2024
Verb
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The Knicks also adjusted their offense to mitigate Daniels’ relentless full-court pressure.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
21 Jan. 2025
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So how can Johnson adjust his coaching to have success with Williams? 5.—
Colleen Kane,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Speculation about his future in politics has intensified as the 18-year-old begins to take on more visible roles, both during his father's campaign and at official events.—
Kristen Waggoner,
Newsweek,
22 Jan. 2025
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Record-low sea ice in the Arctic, disruptions to ocean currents, and intensifying natural disasters are all stark warnings.—
David Carlin,
Forbes,
21 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The set’s sales were bolstered by its availability across six vinyl variants, a CD, digital download album and cassette tape.—
Keith Caulfield,
Billboard,
26 Jan. 2025
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In this new trade scenario, the Rockets add a former first-round pick to their rotation to bolster their chances out in the Western Conference.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
25 Jan. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Strengthen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strengthen. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.
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