strengthen

[strengk-thuhn, streng-, stren-]

See more synonyms for strengthen 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.

Origin of strengthen

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

Related formsstrength·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

Synonyms for strengthen

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1. buttress, reinforce, fortify, support.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for strengthener

clamp, splint, mainstay, buttress, column, truss, assistance, stanchion, stay, underpinning, shore, aid, post, strut, brace, strengthener, cordial, pick-me-up, drug, restorative

Examples from the Web for strengthener

Historical Examples of strengthener

Indirectly Attila was the strengthener of the Papacy, and the founder of Venice.
Great Men and Famous Women. Vol. 1 of 8
Various
By strengthening their souls to do right; hence called the Comforter or Strengthener.
The Quiver 3/1900
Anonymous
This Metheglin is a great Balsom and strengthener of the Viscera; is excellent in colds and coughs and consumptions.
The Closet of Sir Kenelm Digby Knight Opened
Kenelm Digby
An advantage this, a strengthener of love, in which even the conjugal tie is beneath the fraternal.
Mansfield Park
Jane Austen

British Dictionary definitions for strengthener

strengthen

verb

to make or become stronger

Derived Formsstrengthener, 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

Word Origin and History for strengthener

strengthen

c.1300, from strength + -en (1). Related: Strengthened; strengthening.