strengthen

[strengk-thuhn, streng-, stren-]

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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.

Origin of strengthen

First recorded in 1250–1300, strengthen is from the Middle English word strengthnen. See strength, -en¹

Related formsstrength·en·er, nounstrength·en·ing·ly, adverbo·ver·strength·en, verbpre·strength·en, verb (used with object)re·strength·en, verbun·strength·ened, adjectiveun·strength·en·ing, adjective

Synonyms for strengthen

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1. buttress, reinforce, fortify, support.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for strengthen

bolster, restore, extend, invigorate, establish, support, enlarge, increase, reinforce, sustain, heighten, enhance, toughen, intensify, consolidate, uphold, tone, buttress, rejuvenate, ascend

Examples from the Web for strengthen

Contemporary Examples of strengthen

“Liberia is still working very hard to strengthen their health-care system,” says McDaniel.
Fighting Ebola With Nothing but Hope
Abby Haglage
August 27, 2014
Fans of the drink believe that it can boost qi, improve circulation, cure arthritis, and strengthen the body in general.
China Is Brewing Wine From Tiger Bones
Brendon Hong
July 22, 2014
They have long since been touted as medicinal fungi, boasting the ability to strengthen the immune system and lower cholesterol.
Mushrooms Are Magic for Women Trying to Lose Weight
Liza Gates
May 22, 2014
We are all they have, and if we give up hope, we will only strengthen the monsters that did this.
Forgotten Mothers
Tina Brown
May 11, 2014
Opt for salmon, which has lots of omega-3 fatty acids that strengthen brainpower.
Short on Zzz’s? 15 Research-Backed Sleep Hacks
DailyBurn
May 9, 2014

Historical Examples of strengthen

That a lady should marry to increase her consequence and strengthen her connexions.
Tales And Novels, Volume 5 (of 10)
Maria Edgeworth
Your quarrel with Lovelace, if it continue, will strengthen my hands.
Clarissa, Volume 2 (of 9)
Samuel Richardson
How else could I strengthen her in the battle against our own impulses?
City of Endless Night
Milo Hastings
You shall be true to the illusion—we shall be true to it—I will help you in it, strengthen you in it!
The Mystery of Murray Davenport
Robert Neilson Stephens
Will this new disgrace serve to strengthen the Administration?
Diary from November 12, 1862, to October 18, 1863
Adam Gurowski

British Dictionary definitions for strengthen

strengthen

verb

to make or become stronger

Derived Formsstrengthener, noun

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

Word Origin and History for strengthen

c.1300, from strength + -en (1). Related: Strengthened; strengthening.