strengthen
[ strengk-thuhn, streng-, stren- ]
/ ˈstrɛŋk θən, ˈstrɛŋ-, ˈstrɛn- /
verb (used with object)
to make stronger; give strength to.
Phonetics. to change (a speech sound) to an articulation requiring more effort, as from fricative to stop or nongeminate to geminate.
verb (used without object)
to gain strength; grow stronger.
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RELATED WORDS
bolster, restore, extend, invigorate, establish, support, enlarge, increase, reinforce, sustain, heighten, enhance, toughen, intensify, consolidate, uphold, tone, buttress, rejuvenate, ascend
Nearby words
- strega,
- streicher,
- streisand,
- strelitzia,
- strength,
- strengthless,
- strengthlessly,
- strenuosity,
- strenuous,
- strenuously
Origin of strengthen
SYNONYMS FOR strengthen
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for strengthen
strengthen
/ (ˈstrɛŋθən) /
verb
to make or become stronger
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
strengthen
c.1300, from strength + -en (1). Related: Strengthened; strengthening.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper