strengthen
Americanverb
Other Word Forms
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
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Spelling Practice, Unit 2
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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.
Some charities are working with shipping companies to strengthen support for seafarers under unprecedented strain.
From Barron's • May 9, 2026
Advances in artificial-intelligence can strengthen markets’ defense against cyber threats but the technology now has the capacity to cause a macro-financial shock too, the IMF warns.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 8, 2026
The State Department said it is using "commonsense tools to support American families and strengthen compliance" with US laws in an approach it said would enforce parents' "legal and moral obligations to their children".
From BBC • May 7, 2026
“We will strengthen our processes and continue pushing toward the standard our community expects and deserves.”
From Los Angeles Times • May 6, 2026
Vincent has been drawing, staying up late at night “to have some keepsakes and to strengthen thoughts that automatically spring to mind upon seeing the things.”
From "Vincent and Theo: The Van Gogh Brothers" by Deborah Heiligman
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.
