strengthen
Americanverb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
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:
Canadian officials announced a $900 million plan to strengthen the border.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 23, 2026
With the additional funds, Dangote said the company is aiming to reduce "Africa's reliance on imported refined products" and strengthen the "continent's energy security."
From Barron's ● Jul. 23, 2026
The goal here would be to strengthen the yen by selling offshore holdings and to potentially bring a big buyer of Japanese government debt to the marketplace.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 23, 2026
US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the agreement would boost the American economy and strengthen national security.
From BBC ● Jul. 23, 2026
Everyone who can must work to strengthen the Atlantic Wall.
From "All the Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr
The acquisition of 80% of the share capital of Caruna Group strengthens the Spanish utility’s position in Finland, which it called “a market with high credit quality and a stable and attractive regulatory framework.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 21, 2026
"There is an ecosystem that's conducive to the emergence of entrepreneurs like us. That strengthens our confidence in the outlook," said Yattabare, who now hopes to conquer the European market.
From Barron's ● Jul. 20, 2026
"Interest-free buy now pay later is a simpler, fairer, lower-cost alternative to revolving credit. Robust regulation that gives consumers added confidence and strengthens their access to protections is a good thing."
From BBC ● Jul. 14, 2026
“Ideally, budgeting strengthens your relationship with money. Every dollar coming in and out has a purpose,” Stettner wrote.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 7, 2026
At first my voice trembles like the leaves over my head, but then the song strengthens it.
From "Born Behind Bars" by Padma Venkatraman
Tuesday’s gains were driven by renewed institutional demand, regulatory optimism and investors being forced to close earlier bets against bitcoin as the cryptocurrency strengthened, Zaye Capital Markets analyst Naeem Aslam says in a note.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 22, 2026
Storms begin to form and a strengthened Pacific jet stream is pulled from Canada down over the Southern U.S.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 22, 2026
Rubio is making his first visit to the Philippines as secretary of state, where he intends to reaffirm the strengthened partnership with the United States.
From Barron's ● Jul. 21, 2026
Ofcom said it was working with the government to explore whether its enforcement powers should be strengthened.
From BBC ● Jul. 20, 2026
It strengthened my position to keep her in doubt.
From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides
“We are responding with urgency by strengthening our companion animal business, reinforcing our value position and improving productivity across the business,” Lawton said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 23, 2026
He will also “focus on advancing the CSU’s international engagement and strengthening global partnerships,” Garcia said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 23, 2026
Johann Wadephul called for "strengthening trade and investment" at a meeting with his counterpart Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu in Abuja, having spent Tuesday in the economic capital, Lagos.
From Barron's ● Jul. 22, 2026
At the same time, the U.S. is prioritizing strengthening its own domestic semiconductor ecosystem to maintain technological leadership, with Micron pledging over $250 billion in U.S. investment through 2035.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 18, 2026
As they led us away, one by one, over the wide collapsible bridge, I felt a familiar twinge in my gut—faint but strengthening, slow but quickening—the hollowgast, unfrozen now, coming slowly back to life.
From "Hollow City" by Ransom Riggs
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.
