strengthen

American  

[strengk-thuhn, streng-, stren-] / ˈstrɛŋk θən, ˈstrɛŋ-, ˈstrɛn- /

verb (used with object)

1. to make stronger; give strength to.

   Synonyms:

   support, fortify, reinforce, buttress

2. Phonetics. to change (a speech sound) to an articulation requiring more effort, as from fricative to stop or nongeminate to geminate.

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verb (used without object)

1. to gain strength; grow stronger.

strengthen British  

/ ˈstrɛŋθən /

verb

1. to make or become stronger

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Other Word Forms

• overstrengthen verb
• prestrengthen verb (used with object)
• restrengthen verb
• strengthener noun
• strengtheningly adverb
• unstrengthened adjective
• unstrengthening adjective

Etymology

Origin of strengthen

First recorded in 1250–1300, strengthen is from the Middle English word strengthnen. See strength, -en ¹

Example Sentences

The co-author of a recent memoir by Virginia Giuffre, Amy Wallace, also welcomed what she described as a seemingly strengthened response from the Palace.

From BBC

Stock futures rose Wednesday after delayed U.S. jobs data were stronger than expected, strengthening the Federal Reserve’s case that the labor market has been stabilizing.

From Barron's

"The government hopes that this collective embrace of Fugu will strengthen national unity, stimulate the creative economy, and serve as a powerful symbol of Ghana's cultural confidence and self-expression," the minister added.

From BBC

"So we are focusing many of the initiatives to strengthen our European business, but not exclusively so," he said.

From Barron's

"In strategic sectors, European preference is a necessary instrument... that will contribute to strengthen Europe's own production base," she said -- while cautioning against a "one-size-fits-all" approach.

From Barron's

Related Words

• bolster
• build up
• enhance
• enlarge
• establish
• extend
• heighten
• increase
• intensify
• invigorate
• reinforce
• restore
• set up
• step up
• support
• sustain
• toughen