reinforce
Americanverb (used with object)
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to strengthen with some added piece, support, or material.
to reinforce a wall.
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to strengthen (a military force) with additional personnel, ships, or aircraft.
to reinforce a garrison.
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to strengthen; make more forcible or effective.
to reinforce efforts.
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to augment; increase.
to reinforce a supply.
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Psychology. to strengthen the probability of (a response to a given stimulus) by giving or withholding a reward.
noun
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something that reinforces.
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a metal band on the rear part of the bore of a gun, where the explosion occurs.
verb
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to give added strength or support to
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to give added emphasis to; stress, support, or increase
his rudeness reinforced my determination
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to give added support to (a military force) by providing more men, supplies, etc
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psychol to reward an action or response of (a human or animal) so that it becomes more likely to occur again
Other Word Forms
- reinforcement noun
- reinforcer noun
- self-reinforcing adjective
- unreinforced adjective
Etymology
Origin of reinforce
First recorded in 1590–1600; re- + inforce, alteration of enforce
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“Ongoing tensions continue to support higher prices, stoke inflation concerns, and reinforce expectations that policymakers may delay easing, or even tighten, monetary policy.”
From Barron's
Lagarde said the latest shock could reinforce that behavior and limit the persistence of higher inflation.
"More broadly, this study reinforces that the Arctic continues to offer up new knowledge and discoveries that expand on our understanding of mammal diversification over time."
From Science Daily
Given his reputation for rigorous due diligence and concentrated positioning, that level of exposure reinforces the growing case that financials may be poised to lead should market conditions begin to improve.
From Barron's
Ads introducing the product implied that consumers would have to eat boiled cod to find a comparable protein-to-calorie ratio, and the company reinforced the point by eventually beginning to sell frozen cod filets.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
