strengthen

[ strengk-thuhn, streng-, stren- ]

/ ˈstrɛŋk θən, ˈstrɛŋ-, ˈstrɛn- /

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See synonyms for: strengthen / strengthened / strengthening / strengthener on Thesaurus.com

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.

OTHER WORDS FOR strengthen

1 buttress, reinforce, fortify, support.

See synonyms for strengthen on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of strengthen

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

OTHER WORDS FROM strengthen

strength·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

Words nearby strengthen

Strega, Streicher, Streisand, strelitzia, strength, strengthen, strengthless, strenuous, strep, strepitoso, strepitous

How to use strengthen in a sentence

The company told us the reason for the change is “to maintain our standards of privacy and strengthen our protections around user data.”
Google’s search terms move will make millions in ad spend invisible to advertisers|Ginny Marvin|September 3, 2020|Search Engine Land
In order to maintain our standards of privacy and strengthen our protections around user data, we have made changes to our Search Terms Report to only include terms that a significant number of users searched for.
Google Ads to limit Search Terms reporting, citing privacy|Ginny Marvin|September 2, 2020|Search Engine Land
That might have induced a type of physical interaction known as a Fujiwhara effect, in which a strong storm might strengthen further as it absorbs the energy of a lesser storm.
What’s behind August 2020’s extreme weather? Climate change and bad luck|Carolyn Gramling|August 27, 2020|Science News
Unfortunately, Congressional Republicans have resisted attempts to provide additional needed funds to the states to help strengthen the mail-in voting process.
The biggest threat to mail-in voting isn’t security—it’s politics|matthewheimer|August 24, 2020|Fortune

By early Tuesday, Laura is expected to enter the Gulf of Mexico, where conditions could allow the storm to “strengthen significantly” into a proper hurricane, according to the Weather Channel.
Tropical Storm Laura, not yet a hurricane, threatens coastal Texas and Louisiana|Andrew Nusca|August 24, 2020|Fortune
This distrust in the government can ultimately strengthen Boko Haram.
The New Face of Boko Haram’s Terror: Teen Girls|Nina Strochlic|December 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
But it was necessary to take Silan, which the rebels hastened to strengthen, closely followed up by the Spaniards.
The Philippine Islands|John Foreman
The general commanded a halt, and ordered the men to refresh and strengthen themselves by food and drink.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. CCCXXXIX. January, 1844. Vol. LV.|Various
Strengthen yourselves, stay not: for I bring evil from the north, and great destruction.
The Bible, Douay-Rheims Version|Various
Such a course will immensely strengthen the hands of the Queen's Government.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. CCCXXXIX. January, 1844. Vol. LV.|Various
To strengthen the bonds so loosely yet so finely drawn must henceforth be the constant duty of the Statesmen of the Empire.
Fifty Years of Railway Life in England, Scotland and Ireland|Joseph Tatlow

British Dictionary definitions for strengthen

strengthen

/ (ˈstrɛŋθən) /

verb

to make or become stronger

Derived forms of strengthen

strengthener, 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

strengthen

OTHER WORDS FOR strengthen

Origin of strengthen

OTHER WORDS FROM strengthen

Words nearby strengthen

Words related to strengthen

How to use strengthen in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for strengthen

Derived forms of strengthen