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:
Scientists warn that November and December’s tides will strengthen again, culminating not only in rough, high seas but also heavy expected rains from El Niño.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 29, 2026
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has pledged a full investigation "to establish every last detail of this tragedy and strengthen safety measures to ensure it never happens again".
From Barron's ● Oct. 29, 2026
A strong economy and stubborn inflation could strengthen an already compelling case for a rate increase in December.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 29, 2026
The purchase price GE Vernova agreed to for Trench Group, a deal that will strengthen its grid-equipment manufacturing capabilities as demand for energy continues to skyrocket.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 29, 2026
He wore weighted shoes to strengthen his wasted leg muscles.
From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand
"We pray that this royal visit further strengthens the enduring bonds of friendship between the Crown and the Bahamian people."
From BBC ● Oct. 28, 2026
However, understanding precisely how cortisol strengthens memories has been challenging.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 16, 2026
Microsoft’s announcement strengthens its case for controlling the cost of AI.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 16, 2026
Consolidating Telkom Indonesia’s wholesale fiber connectivity business into Telkom InfraCo strengthens its scale ahead of a potential strategic stake sale.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 2, 2026
For the student, music not only strengthens emotional and cognitive development, but also allows a new outlet of expression, and a new means of learning through listening and making sound.
From "Music and the Child" by Natalie Sarrazin
Earlier in October a Kelvin wave and strengthened tides due to Tropical Storm Rachel brought flooding to multiple beach communities.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 29, 2026
That said, the gap narrowed as nominal home price growth strengthened, according to Rebecca Kaufman, associate director of commodities at S&P Dow Jones Indices.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 27, 2026
This consistency strengthened the evidence that the AI was identifying meaningful changes associated with the disease.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 26, 2026
In England, Benedict's law came into force in September, requiring all schools to follow strengthened allergy guidelines including training for staff and storing equipment like life-saving allergy pens.
From BBC ● Oct. 24, 2026
“They are strengthened by success; they can triumph because they think they can triumph.”
From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II: The Kingdom on the Waves" by M.T. Anderson
Xi opened the session on Monday, presenting a draft decision by the Central Committee that "sets out strategic plans for strengthening full and rigorous Party self-governance", state news agency Xinhua reported.
From Barron's ● Oct. 26, 2026
"As part of that process we are commissioning an external review of our RDI function, which will also inform the strengthening of governance in this area."
From BBC ● Oct. 25, 2026
JetBlue said it is focused on strengthening revenue and plans to update its progress and financial outlook during its earnings call on Tuesday.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 23, 2026
Her family and experiences are integral to her act and essential to strengthening those ties.
From Salon ● Oct. 23, 2026
Lamarck believed that animals adapted to their environments by strengthening or weakening certain traits—“with a power proportional to the length of time it has been so used.”
From "The Gene" by Siddhartha Mukherjee
Random Word
Spin the wheel and learn a new word!
Get a wordDefinitions 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.
