strengthen

American  

[strengk-thuhn, streng-, stren-] / ˈstrɛŋk θən, ˈstrɛŋ-, ˈstrɛn- /

verb (used with object)

1. to make stronger; give strength to.

   Synonyms:

   support, fortify, reinforce, buttress

2. Phonetics. to change (a speech sound) to an articulation requiring more effort, as from fricative to stop or nongeminate to geminate.

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verb (used without object)

1. to gain strength; grow stronger.

strengthen British  

/ ˈstrɛŋθən /

verb

1. to make or become stronger

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Other Word Forms

• overstrengthen verb
• prestrengthen verb (used with object)
• restrengthen verb
• strengthener noun
• strengtheningly adverb
• unstrengthened adjective
• unstrengthening adjective

Etymology

Origin of strengthen

First recorded in 1250–1300, strengthen is from the Middle English word strengthnen. See strength, -en ¹

Example Sentences

Both advances rely on photocatalysis and strengthen CiQUS's position as a leader in developing innovative strategies to use abundant raw materials more effectively.

From Science Daily

The presence of these sponge specific chemical signatures strengthens the case that ancestors of demosponges were among the first animals to evolve, emerging well before most other major animal groups.

From Science Daily

This configuration, known as orbital resonance, strengthens gravitational interactions.

From Science Daily

But Rafael Loss, a policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, said leaders should find confidence in European support for strengthening nuclear deterrence.

From Barron's

But my real and digital lives are now filled with women explaining, in excruciating detail, what I should do to strengthen my skeleton.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• bolster
• build up
• enhance
• enlarge
• establish
• extend
• heighten
• increase
• intensify
• invigorate
• reinforce
• restore
• set up
• step up
• support
• sustain
• toughen