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:
Airbnb is being “very selective” about adding hotel inventory, making sure that the chosen offerings strengthen the platform rather than compete with home listings, Mertz said.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 11, 2026
Atletico Madrid are reported to be chasing Romero though and with Spurs unlikely to want to strengthen their rivals, this deal seems unlikely to come to fruition.
From BBC ● Aug. 10, 2026
Scientists also want to determine how long the biological changes last and whether repeating the interventions can strengthen or maintain them over time.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 9, 2026
Pakistan's foreign ministry said Friday the pact meant an attack on any member would be regarded as an attack on all, adding it was "intended to strengthen collective deterrence".
From Barron's ● Aug. 8, 2026
Something had to be done to strengthen the Soviet position.
From "Fallout: Spies, Superbombs, and the Ultimate Cold War Showdown" by Steve Sheinkin
“We believe it strengthens their ability to fight in a high intensity, communications-limited environment,” he said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 5, 2026
By establishing clearer criteria for recognizing tooth damage, the study strengthens an important tool used in paleontology.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 5, 2026
“The deal strengthens AMD’s strategic partnership, competitive positioning, and long-term revenue opportunities,” Hendi Susanto, a portfolio manager at Gabelli Funds, said in emailed comments regarding Anthropic.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 22, 2026
"There is an ecosystem that's conducive to the emergence of entrepreneurs like us. That strengthens our confidence in the outlook," said Yattabare, who now hopes to conquer the European market.
From Barron's ● Jul. 20, 2026
“It sends the blood flying through thy veins to warm thee. Besides, it strengthens thy body and, best of all, it strengthens thy spirit to do a hard thing.”
From "The Door in the Wall" by Marguerite de Angeli
Federal oversight expanded further with the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, which created the Medicaid Integrity Program and strengthened federal oversight of state programs.
From Salon ● Aug. 5, 2026
The Japanese unit strengthened from a four-decade low around 163 to the greenback Friday, to 155.23 Monday, its best level since May, before paring the gains.
From Barron's ● Aug. 4, 2026
As a consequence of the intervention, the Japanese currency strengthened almost 5% from last week’s forty-year low of ¥164 to ¥156.70 on Monday.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 3, 2026
The WSJ Dollar Index rose as the greenback strengthened against the yen.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 31, 2026
That it was old-fashioned only strengthened the association, because it meant I usually only heard the word in connection with myself.
From "Educated" by Tara Westover
The World Meteorological Organization said on July 31 that a “strong El Niño is developing” and was expected to continue strengthening through early autumn.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 10, 2026
Following the Banyuetan report, other state media rushed to denounce insider leaks and demand a crackdown—such as by strengthening censorship algorithms and issuing stern punishments.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 10, 2026
The ultralow level of jobless claims is another sign of a gradually strengthening labor market and possibly even a growing shortage of labor.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 6, 2026
Earlier Thursday Zelensky said of Ukraine's latest attacks that they were "strengthening the prospects for diplomacy".
From Barron's ● Aug. 6, 2026
‘But we call it lembas or waybread, and it is more strengthening than any food made by Men, and it is more pleasant than cram, by all accounts.’
From "The Fellowship of the Ring" by J.R.R. Tolkien
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.
