strengthen
Americanverb (used with object)
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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:
Finding ways to strengthen muscle repair without encouraging abnormal growth would be an important goal for future therapies.
From Science Daily ● Nov. 13, 2026
The incidents have intensified calls for authorities to strengthen monitoring of school feeding schemes, improve hygiene standards and ensure safer learning environments for children.
From BBC ● Nov. 12, 2026
Long-range weather forecasts suggest that the vortex could strengthen again later in the winter.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 12, 2026
“Instead of weakening as they approach the immediate shoreline, there’s actually a chance that things, any thunderstorms that are out there, might briefly strengthen a little bit right before moving onshore,” he said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 12, 2026
He instructs me through the usual exercises: repetitions to strengthen my quads, hips, and hamstrings; balance exercises to help with proper alignment; stretches to increase my range of motion.
From "The Sea in Winter" by Christine Day
He had already won British, Commonwealth and European honours, and a successful first world-title defence further strengthens his credentials.
From BBC ● Oct. 24, 2026
James Earl, chief executive of Future Energy Networks, welcomed Jackdaw's approval, saying that "at a time of global instability, gas produced at home strengthens Britain's energy security".
From Barron's ● Oct. 21, 2026
Dimon temporarily chairs the Alliance for Critical Infrastructure, a coalition of about 50 companies that vets open-source code and strengthens security across a range of sectors.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 19, 2026
Because problems with the intestinal barrier are associated with several gastrointestinal disorders, a treatment that strengthens this barrier might have benefits beyond protecting the liver.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 17, 2026
Appealing to authority—whether by quoting a commonplace or the words of a named source— always strengthens an argument.
From "Words Like Loaded Pistols" by Sam Leith
Katayama’s remarks come as renewed inflationary worries in the U.S. have strengthened the dollar, pushing the yen back toward levels that previously prompted Japanese authorities to step in.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 13, 2026
U.S. rate-rise prospects strengthened the dollar while the euro continued to be affected by French debt concerns and recently-trimmed market expectations for European Central Bank rate increases following a pullback in oil prices.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 11, 2026
There were certain areas where it considered that the contributor welfare framework could be further strengthened, and made recommendations in this regard.
From BBC ● Nov. 5, 2026
The consistency between these independent groups and testing methods strengthened the researchers' confidence in the findings.
From Science Daily ● Nov. 5, 2026
Thankfully Alec was easy on him and didn’t talk much while they both ate and strengthened themselves for the day ahead.
From "The Kill Order (Maze Runner, Book Four; Origin)" by James Dashner
Neuroplasticity refers to the brain's capacity to change its structure and activity by forming, strengthening, reorganizing, or removing connections between neurons.
From Science Daily ● Nov. 7, 2026
Priscott told members they plan to "invest in Gloucestershire's future – strengthening our club identity as we pursue our top-eight ambition, while creating a distinct Bristol-based T20 team to reach a new audience."
From BBC ● Nov. 5, 2026
"Renewables ... are not only one of the most effective tools for tackling climate change, but also an important means of strengthening energy security and reducing dependence on foreign supplies," he said.
From Barron's ● Nov. 5, 2026
Bergeron said the new board will focus on strengthening corporate governance, returning to profitable growth, and selecting a successor to Chief Executive Officer Farooq Kathwari.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 4, 2026
Because there was no snow, we pulled a four-wheeler with three sixteen-dog teams, strengthening them and training leaders, Corky watching from the windows as we ripped out of the kennel and into the trail system.
From This Side of Wild by Gary Paulsen
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
