1
as in to harden
to increase the ability of (as a muscle) to exert physical force lifting weights every day will eventually strengthen your muscles the army makes new recruits run for miles in order to strengthen them

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2
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as in to stiffen
to make more harsh, uncompromising, or severe a bill was introduced to strengthen punishments for hate crimes

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of strengthen And that indicates that Russia thinks that its military position is actually strengthening in this conflict. ABC News, 13 July 2025 Revenues currently stand at $257 million overseas and $393 million globally, strengthening its position as Apple’s highest grossing movie to date. Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 13 July 2025 Russia and North Korea’s alliance has strengthened, as seen in North Korea’s supply of troops and ammunition to the Ukrainian battlefield in support of Russia. David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 12 July 2025 The trip could further strengthen an alliance that has the potential to reshape not only the war in Ukraine but the security dynamic in Asia. Will Ripley, CNN Money, 11 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for strengthen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strengthen
Verb
  • That those brilliant turquoise waves had flattened and hardened into muted whites and grays.
    Laura Poppick July 22, Literary Hub, 22 July 2025
  • Bottom line Gel polishes are painted on, similar to regular nail polish, and require UV or LED light to harden.
    Rebecca Dancer, Allure, 18 July 2025
Verb
  • Tensions over the exchange led to Cambodian, then later Thai, soldiers fortifying positions along the border.
    Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 25 July 2025
  • Their critical work encompasses keeping systems operational, fortifying networks and upholding regulatory compliance.
    Dara Warn, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025
Verb
  • Several studies suggest that giving folinic acid, a kind of vitamin, to certain autistic children could enhance their verbal abilities.
    Dhruv Khullar, New Yorker, 15 July 2025
  • While administration officials tout the bill as a tool to enhance public safety, immigration experts caution that the funding far exceeds what's needed to target serious criminal offenders.
    Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 July 2025
Verb
  • Inflation data Stock futures were higher before the bell on Tuesday as investors braced for June’s consumer price index, due in at 8:30 a.m. ET.
    Josephine Rozzelle, CNBC, 15 July 2025
  • As school districts brace for budget shortfalls, communities await a decision that could reshape access to education and enrichment nationwide.
    Amanda Castro Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 July 2025
Verb
  • The whole squad has put up an impressive 18 scores in four tourney matches, though competition now stiffens for single elimination.
    Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 21 May 2025
  • My forehead stiffened and went numb, like it was made of concrete that had suddenly set.
    Sarah Miller, New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • As the fireline is constructed, inspected or reinforced, mappers record those details to adjust the containment percentage.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 21 July 2025
  • That plan was ripped up and adjusted to a 4-4-1, with Minge back in defence.
    Michael Cox, New York Times, 20 July 2025
Verb
  • The scrutiny then further intensified following a Thursday report from the Wall Street Journal citing a 50th birthday letter from Trump to Epstein that included an outline of a naked woman, sketched in marker, and Trump's signature.
    Mandy Taheri Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 July 2025
  • This trend will only intensify as organizations recognize the strategic value AI delivers across every business function.
    Sateesh Seetharamiah, Forbes.com, 18 July 2025
Verb
  • Advocates are calling for more public funding to bolster child care centers serving low-income Nashville families.
    Rachel Wegner, The Tennessean, 26 July 2025
  • One expert told Newsweek that Project 2025 had called for USCIS to bolster its fraud detection unit, with this latest report a sign of that effort.
    Billal Rahman Dan Gooding, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Strengthen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strengthen. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.

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