reinforce

The word “reinforce” means to make something stronger by adding extra support or material. In plain terms, to make something (physical or abstract) stronger, often by adding support or repeating it.

“Reinforce” is pronounced ree-ihn-FAWS (/ˌɹi.ɪnˈfɔɹs/ in IPA).

Here is “reinforce” used in a sentence: “They reinforced the bridge with steel cables.”

“Reinforce” is a verb.

“Reinforce” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

“Reinforce” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to make something stronger by adding extra support or material.

Reinforce specifically means to make something stronger by adding extra support or material, such as reinforcing a wall with steel bars, or to strengthen a belief or behavior through repetition. Strengthen is a broader term that can apply to making anything more powerful or robust, without necessarily implying that something extra has been added. Reinforce often implies a targeted fix to a weak point.

In psychology, reinforce describes strengthening a belief or behavior through repetition, often through rewards or consistent reactions, such as reinforcing good habits with praise. This use is distinct from the physical sense of adding material support to a structure.

To reinforce an argument means to strengthen it by adding further evidence, examples, or reasoning that support the original point, making it more convincing or harder to dispute.