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

“The chapter 11 process will enable us to strengthen our balance sheet and create financial flexibility to advance this growth,” the CEO said.

From The Wall Street Journal

President Joe Biden strengthened Buy America rules External link by signing them into law as part of the 2021 infrastructure bill.

From Barron's

In a statement Monday, the sneaker maker said it was “taking steps to strengthen and streamline our operations so we can move faster, operate with greater discipline and better serve athletes and consumers.”

From MarketWatch

Driving it down: Speculation that Washington and Tokyo were prepared to intervene to support the yen strengthened the Japanese currency.

From The Wall Street Journal

An intervention to strengthen the yen would likely involve using the fund to buy yen in exchange for dollars on the open market.

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