strengthen
Americanverb (used with object)
-
strengthens,
present (3rd person singular)
-
strengthened,
past participle, past
-
strengthening
present participle
verb (used without object)
-
strengthens,
present (3rd person singular)
-
strengthened,
past participle, past
-
strengthening
present participle
verb
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
-
strengthenernoun
-
overstrengthenverb
-
restrengthenverb
-
prestrengthenverb (used with object)
-
unstrengthenedadjective
-
unstrengtheningadjective
-
strengtheninglyadverb
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
strengthensimple
-
strengthenssimple
-
have strengthenedperfect
-
has strengthenedperfect
-
am strengtheningprogressive
-
are strengtheningprogressive
-
is strengtheningprogressive
-
have been strengtheningperfect progressive
-
has been strengtheningperfect progressive
Past
-
strengthenedsimple
-
had strengthenedperfect
-
was strengtheningprogressive
-
were strengtheningprogressive
-
had been strengtheningperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of strengthen
First recorded in 1250–1300, strengthen is from the Middle English word strengthnen. See strength, -en 1
Explanation
To strengthen is to make something stronger! Rarr. You can strengthen your muscles by working out, or strengthen your brain by learning new words. Anytime you strengthen something, you're making it more resistant, vigorous, or tough. Taking vitamins can strengthen your immune system so you don't get sick. Lifting weights will strengthen your muscles. A powerful lock will strengthen a door. On computers, a reliable firewall will strengthen your virus protection. If something is weak, it needs to be strengthened. Congrats! You just strengthened your vocabulary by checking out this definition!
Vocabulary lists containing strengthen
President Obama's second inaugural address
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Spelling Practice, Unit 2
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
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.
See Examples For:
“These laws strengthen the tools, resources and accountability needed to protect residents and help communities respond when emergencies happen,” Newsom said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 27, 2026
Used this way, AI could strengthen rather than displace the judgment and self-belief that underlie agency.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 27, 2026
In many cases, it may also strengthen the doctor-patient relationship by focusing treatment more closely on what is actually driving the patient's symptoms.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 27, 2026
At the gym, she spends 10 minutes on a stair-climbing machine then 35 minutes using weights and machines to strengthen the thighs, hips and lower back.
From BBC ● Sep. 24, 2026
Laundry soap, knitting wool, and a special syrup to strengthen the lungs were distributed free, for Trueba did not want anyone dirty, cold, or sick living on his land.
From "The House of the Spirits: A Novel" by Isabel Allende
Boulter and Kartal were among a list of absentees from that squad - including Emma Raducanu, who is again missing through injury - but the pair's return to the line-up strengthens captain Anne Keothavong's side.
From BBC ● Sep. 21, 2026
The result strengthens the idea that these fatty acids may carry meaningful information about identity rather than simply being unusual chemical byproducts.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 20, 2026
This likely strengthens the case for the Federal Reserve to raise its benchmark rate at its meeting this week, says Commonwealth Bank of Australia’s Belinda Allen in a note.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 14, 2026
If the yen suddenly strengthens further — like what happened in recent days — investors could be forced to unwind those positions rapidly.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 8, 2026
“It sends the blood flying through thy veins to warm thee. Besides, it strengthens thy body and, best of all, it strengthens thy spirit to do a hard thing.”
From "The Door in the Wall" by Marguerite de Angeli
The expanded analysis strengthened the case that the unusual sediment structures were produced by earthquakes on both fault systems occurring close together in time.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 24, 2026
Before a meeting of the Council next month, Infantino says he is also suggesting a consultation on "how Fifa's decision-making can be further strengthened".
From BBC ● Sep. 21, 2026
The overall energy of the trip and the relationships strengthened by shared experience are worth much more than the nickels and dimes you won’t miss in the long run.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 19, 2026
He said the company would instead invest in journalism that “is differentiated, consequential and difficult to replicate; reporting rooted in our communities and strengthened by sources, investigation, verification, context and judgment.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 19, 2026
My fears were strengthened during lunch when Jessica sat as far from Mike as possible, chatting animatedly with Eric.
From "Twilight" by Stephenie Meyer
She practised in a simulator beforehand and took part in a detailed programme of gym work, which included neck strengthening sessions, with some of the drivers on the F1 grid.
From BBC ● Sep. 26, 2026
McDougall said the assembly centre was "exactly the kind of investment we want to see more of as we work to reindustrialise Britain, creating high-skilled local jobs and strengthening our manufacturing base".
From BBC ● Sep. 25, 2026
Poindexter has centered his campaign on strengthening unions, retaining healthcare benefits for retirees and injured workers and raising wages.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 25, 2026
Earlier this week, a top Canadian trade official met with his India counterpart in Mumbai to discuss strengthening trade and investment ties.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 22, 2026
I could feel my curiosity strengthening, as if it were part of my bones, keeping pace with them as I grew.
From "Beyond the Bright Sea" by Lauren Wolk
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.
