strengthen
verb (used with object)
to make stronger; give strength to.
had strengthened
-
past perfectof strengthen.past perfect
Used to express a completed action that took place before another specific past action occurred.
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.
Meanwhile, the city said it had strengthened security at the library and trained its roughly 30 security guards on tougher safety protocols.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 18, 2026
It blamed human traffickers, and said they had strengthened, not eased, security measures in response to the mass movement of people toward the Ceuta border.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 9, 2026
She claimed that Labour had strengthened devolution "in ways that will make a tangible and positive impact for Wales and this is one of the areas where we think can do that".
From BBC ● Feb. 11, 2026
It added leadership oversight, management arrangements and team culture had "strengthened" with "more effective ways of working" and "a more positive team environment" in place.
From BBC ● Feb. 3, 2026
In the spring of 2007, the subprime mortgage bond market, incredibly, had strengthened a bit.
From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis
