strengthen

American

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

verb (used with object)

to make stronger; give strength to.

Synonyms:

support , fortify , reinforce , buttress
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.

strengthen British

/ 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

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

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He notes that this strengthens the value of using mouse models to study human brain biology.

From Science Daily

Tokyo sank more than one percent as the yen strengthened on expectations the Bank of Japan will lift interest rates this month.

From Barron's

Over time, Tcf4 and its targets activate to strengthen cell adhesion and structural support.

From Science Daily

This latest shambles against the Springboks might well strengthen the WRU's hand that something has to be done.

From BBC

"We strengthened as a group and reached the end of the season with a brotherhood within the team, where everyone pulls together, and it doesn't matter who starts," Mascherano said.

From Barron's

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023