strengthen

verb

strength·​en ˈstreŋ(k)-thən How to pronounce strengthen (audio)
ˈstren(t)-
strengthened; strengthening
ˈstreŋ(k)th-niŋ, 
ˈstren(t)th-;
  ˈstreŋ(k)-thə- How to pronounce strengthen (audio)
ˈstren(t)-
Synonyms of strengthen

transitive verb

: to make stronger, more forceful, more effective, etc.
These exercises will strengthen your abdominal muscles.

intransitive verb

: to become stronger, more forceful, more effective, etc.
The winds are expected to strengthen.
strengthener
ˈstreŋ(k)th-nər, 
ˈstren(t)th-;
  ˈstreŋ(k)-thə- How to pronounce strengthen (audio)
ˈstren(t)-
noun

Synonyms of strengthen

Relevance
See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of strengthen in a Sentence

These exercises will strengthen your stomach muscles. He takes herbs to strengthen his immune system. The development of new electronic products has strengthened the company's position as the leader in digital technology. Holidays often serve to strengthen bonds between family members. Their financial situation strengthened her determination to find a new career. The team has been strengthened by the addition of several new players. The winds are expected to strengthen. The economy is slowly strengthening. The Canadian dollar is strengthening against the U.S. dollar. The trade restrictions will strengthen the pound.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The same investments that improve energy security can lower consumer costs, reduce emissions, strengthen industrial capacity and support growth. — Nana Menya Ayensu, semafor.com, 7 Sep. 2026 But also for the bond that strengthened between coach and quarterback. — Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026 Researchers are also exploring combinations of cancer vaccines and other treatments, such as checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy, to strengthen the body's anti-cancer response. — Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2026 Many nurses and union officials said strengthening the law is essential and that the law’s language is unclear, leaving it open to different interpretations. — Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 6 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for strengthen

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of strengthen was in the 15th century

Rhymes for strengthen

See All Rhymes for strengthen

Browse Nearby Words

strength deck
strengthen
strengthener
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Strengthen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/strengthen. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of gist

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All