strengthen
Americanverb (used with object)
-
strengthens,
present (3rd person singular)
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strengthened,
past participle, past
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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
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strengthenernoun
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overstrengthenverb
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restrengthenverb
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prestrengthenverb (used with object)
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unstrengthenedadjective
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unstrengtheningadjective
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strengtheninglyadverb
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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strengthensimple
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strengthenssimple
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have strengthenedperfect
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has strengthenedperfect
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am strengtheningprogressive
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are strengtheningprogressive
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is strengtheningprogressive
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have been strengtheningperfect progressive
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has been strengtheningperfect progressive
Past
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strengthenedsimple
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had strengthenedperfect
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was strengtheningprogressive
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were strengtheningprogressive
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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
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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:
Microsoft does not need to replace every Nvidia chip to strengthen its negotiating position.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 16, 2026
“If our CPI and wage forecasts are close to the mark, this would likely strengthen MPC members’ conviction to embark on this path at their next meeting,” she said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026
STOCKHOLM—Ericsson set out plans to streamline its operating structure, seeking to strengthen its customer focus and drive efficiencies while warning that higher component costs will be a headwind to profitability next year.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 15, 2026
Andrew McHill, Ph.D., a study co-author and associate professor specializing in sleep and circadian physiology at OHSU, said the findings strengthen existing evidence that the timing of everyday activities can have important health consequences.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 15, 2026
She gave me a new kind of medicine to give him each night to help strengthen his lungs.
From "A Mango-Shaped Space" by Wendy Mass
However, understanding precisely how cortisol strengthens memories has been challenging.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 16, 2026
Super El Niño sets another record as it strengthens to 'unprecedented levels'
From BBC ● Oct. 13, 2026
They added that "the presence of weapons outside state authority must be addressed... in line with timelines set by the government, in a manner that strengthens state sovereignty".
From Barron's ● Sep. 30, 2026
“This should fundamentally weigh on aluminum prices—especially if the U.S. dollar strengthens as we anticipate in the coming quarters,” he says in a note.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 22, 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
“We have implemented additional safeguards, including enhanced monitoring, strengthened access controls and further third-party review of our security practices,” Betaneli added.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 17, 2026
However, Wales have strengthened since then, with second rower Paige Travis - who has switched allegiances from England - and Canterbury Bulldogs half-back Tayla Preston lining up for them on Saturday.
From BBC ● Oct. 16, 2026
Nasdaq futures dropped sharply as a global rout in stocks linked to artificial-intelligence accelerated, while Treasurys strengthened as investors bid a hasty retreat from risk.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 15, 2026
If scientists can determine how that mechanism works and whether it can be strengthened, it could provide a new target for therapies designed to protect vision.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 11, 2026
I push aside the curtains and see the snowstorm has strengthened to a full-out blizzard.
From "Catching Fire" by Suzanne Collins
They said this approach will allow the European Union to pursue its climate goals while strengthening competitiveness.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026
He and Levinson hope that by strengthening local communities, it can eventually lead to stronger national bonds.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 16, 2026
Last month, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a law strengthening California’s protections against civil arrests for people traveling to, attending or leaving courthouses for lawful purposes.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 15, 2026
The discovery involving WASP-189b provides that missing observational evidence, strengthening the scientific basis for using stellar chemistry to understand the materials from which distant planets form.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 14, 2026
I couldn’t explain how to get through, I just followed the strengthening drumbeat and turned where it felt right—and it always was.
From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith
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Get a wordDefinitions 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.
