strengthen
Americanverb (used with object)
-
strengthens,
present (3rd person singular)
-
strengthened,
past participle, past
-
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
-
strengthenernoun
-
overstrengthenverb
-
restrengthenverb
-
prestrengthenverb (used with object)
-
unstrengthenedadjective
-
unstrengtheningadjective
-
strengtheninglyadverb
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
strengthensimple
-
strengthenssimple
-
have strengthenedperfect
-
has strengthenedperfect
-
am strengtheningprogressive
-
are strengtheningprogressive
-
is strengtheningprogressive
-
have been strengtheningperfect progressive
-
has been strengtheningperfect progressive
Past
-
strengthenedsimple
-
had strengthenedperfect
-
was strengtheningprogressive
-
were strengtheningprogressive
-
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
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Spelling Practice, Unit 2
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
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:
“This transaction allows us to efficiently recycle capital, strengthen our balance sheet and maintain financial flexibility, while advancing a strong pipeline of high-returning growth opportunities,” said Enbridge Chief Financial Officer Pat Murray.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 27, 2026
“Mr. Curtis was appointed to enhance transparency, strengthen election integrity, and restore trust in the democratic process,” the county wrote.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 26, 2026
That information could also help authorities identify where illegally traded pangolins are being hunted and strengthen efforts to stop poaching.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 26, 2026
United targeted Baleba after deciding to strengthen their midfield further following the summer arrivals of Andrey Santos from Chelsea and Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa.
From BBC ● Aug. 25, 2026
Marriage and childbirth strengthen the swordswoman, who is not a maid like Joan of Arc.
From "The Woman Warrior" by Maxine Hong Kingston
Tai chi strengthens the lower-body and builds postural and core muscles — the body’s deep stabilizing muscles — though it does so gently, over time.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 18, 2026
That AI momentum "strengthens our confidence in our long-term growth potential", Li said.
From Barron's ● Aug. 18, 2026
This repeated circulation strengthens the light at particular frequencies.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 17, 2026
“The Roth-conversion opportunity was always the best use case for funding these accounts, aside from the free $1,000. This new guidance definitely strengthens that case,” said Jon Lapp of Haven Financial Advisors.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 14, 2026
For the student, music not only strengthens emotional and cognitive development, but also allows a new outlet of expression, and a new means of learning through listening and making sound.
From "Music and the Child" by Natalie Sarrazin
Once the ice sheet began expanding, additional climate feedbacks strengthened the cooling.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 25, 2026
Critics say the measures have further strengthened Tokayev's power in Kazakhstan, a vast Central Asian country bordering Russia and China.
From Barron's ● Aug. 24, 2026
And the way they've strengthened brilliantly states the league isn't their only objective this season.
From BBC ● Aug. 20, 2026
European stock indexes were mixed in muted early trade as a global technology selloff lost some momentum, while manufacturing and chemical stocks strengthened.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 19, 2026
Somehow, this thought strengthened him enough to keep him from collapsing in terror.
From "A Long Walk to Water" by Linda Sue Park
Brentford are in the fortunate position of being able to choose their deals carefully after some excellent squad strengthening.
From BBC ● Aug. 25, 2026
To combat the animosity centered on his family, Iamaleava focused on his support system, leaning on those around him and strengthening relationships with the people that he loved.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 20, 2026
"Other common treatments for knee osteoarthritis include strengthening the thigh muscles, using knee braces, taking anti-inflammatory medications, getting cortisone and other injections, and sometimes having knee replacement surgery."
From Science Daily ● Aug. 20, 2026
"Taken together, the data suggest that US economic momentum may be losing some steam, strengthening expectations that the Federal Reserve could leave rates unchanged in September."
From Barron's ● Aug. 17, 2026
The next two days on Cape Torokina were spent setting up our base and strengthening our position while small parties tried to follow the trails that led farther into the island.
From "Code Talker: A Novel About the Navajo Marines of World War Two" by Joseph Bruchac
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
