reinforce

[ ree-in-fawrs, -fohrs ]

/ ˌri ɪnˈfɔrs, -ˈfoʊrs /

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See synonyms for: reinforce / reinforced / reinforces / reinforcing on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), re·in·forced, re·in·forc·ing.

to strengthen with some added piece, support, or material: to reinforce a wall.

to strengthen (a military force) with additional personnel, ships, or aircraft: to reinforce a garrison.

to strengthen; make more forcible or effective: to reinforce efforts.

to augment; increase: to reinforce a supply.

Psychology. to strengthen the probability of (a response to a given stimulus) by giving or withholding a reward.

noun

something that reinforces.

a metal band on the rear part of the bore of a gun, where the explosion occurs.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Also re·en·force, re-en·force

[ree-uhn-fawrs, -fohrs] /ˌri ənˈfɔrs, -ˈfoʊrs/ .

Origin of reinforce

First recorded in 1590–1600; re- + inforce, alteration of enforce

OTHER WORDS FROM reinforce

re·in·forc·er, nounself-re·in·forc·ing, adjectiveun·re·in·forced, adjective

Words nearby reinforce

reindustrialization, reindustrialize, Reinecke, Reiner, reinfect, reinforce, reinforced concrete, reinforced plastic, reinforcement, reinforcement therapy, Reinhardt

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use reinforce in a sentence

The numbers reinforce another article in the Post, in which cops confessed to “turning a blind eye” to minor crimes.
Ground Zero of the NYPD Slowdown|Batya Ungar-Sargon|January 1, 2015|DAILY BEAST
If anything, officer training and in-field policing methodologies reinforce those beliefs.
What Would Happen if I Got in White Cop’s Face?|Goldie Taylor|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
No precautions have been taken to reinforce the ceilings, which could collapse onto the statues.
Florence Preps ‘David’ for the Big One|Barbie Latza Nadeau|December 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But there are dozens of new gadgets that reinforce the idea that knowledge is power.
Nothing Says I Love You Like Data|The Daily Beast|December 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST

We need to reinforce the message that decision-making, the power of choices, is also important.
A Black Cop’s Tough Words for Mike Brown|Mary M. Chapman|December 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
So the first question has been whether to reinforce Gaba Tepe from Helles or vice versa.
Gallipoli Diary, Volume I|Ian Hamilton
In 1807, however, he was called up to reinforce the Grand Army in time to take part in the decisive battle at Friedland.
Napoleon's Marshals|R. P. Dunn-Pattison
With Lannes and Mortier sent to reinforce him, it was still more difficult to show patience.
Napoleon's Marshals|R. P. Dunn-Pattison
Napoleon's failure to reinforce Massna left the situation before Lisbon precarious.
The Life of Napoleon Bonaparte|William Milligan Sloane
And would you like to reinforce one battalion, in case of attack, by another battalion?
The Doings of the Fifteenth Infantry Brigade|Edward Lord Gleichen

British Dictionary definitions for reinforce

reinforce

/ (ˌriːɪnˈfɔːs) /

verb (tr)

to give added strength or support to

to give added emphasis to; stress, support, or increasehis rudeness reinforced my determination

to give added support to (a military force) by providing more men, supplies, etc

psychol to reward an action or response of (a human or animal) so that it becomes more likely to occur again

Derived forms of reinforce

reinforcement, noun

Word Origin for reinforce

C17: from obsolete renforce, from French renforcer; see re- + inforce enforce

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

reinforce

Origin of reinforce

OTHER WORDS FROM reinforce

Words nearby reinforce

Words related to reinforce

How to use reinforce in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for reinforce

Derived forms of reinforce

Word Origin for reinforce