strengthen
STREHNG-thuhn
Strengthen (verb) means to make something stronger, more solid, or more effective. Example: “We need to strengthen the old bridge before heavy lorries can use it again.”
verb
1
To make something stronger, more solid, or more effective.
"We need to strengthen the old bridge before heavy lorries can use it again."
"Regular exercise strengthens the heart."
"The new evidence strengthened their case in court."
How to use strengthen
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo make something (or someone) stronger, more solid, or more convincing.
Common pairings
strengthen ties
strengthen a muscle
strengthen an argument
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like strengthen.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Third person singular
- strengthens
- Past tense
- strengthened
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
We need to _____ the old bridge before heavy lorries can use it again.
Etymology
From Middle English, formed by adding the verb ending "-en" to "strength."
Synonyms
View more →
bolster
toughen
consolidate
buttress
shore up
anneal
brace
build up
confirm
enstrengthen
fortify
harden
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for strengthen
See all rhymes for strengthen →Frequently asked questions
What does “strengthen” mean?
The word “strengthen” means to make something stronger, more solid, or more effective. In plain terms, to make something (or someone) stronger, more solid, or more convincing.
How do you pronounce “strengthen”?
“Strengthen” is pronounced STREHNG-thuhn (/ˈstɹɛŋ(k)θən/ in IPA).
How do you use “strengthen” in a sentence?
Here is “strengthen” used in a sentence: “Regular exercise strengthens the heart.”
What is another word for “strengthen”?
Words with a similar meaning to “strengthen” include anneal, brace, build up, confirm, enstrengthen and fortify.
What is the opposite of “strengthen”?
The opposite of “strengthen” — its antonyms — are weaken, atrophy, debilitate, enervate and enfeeble.
What part of speech is “strengthen”?
“Strengthen” is a verb.
Where does the word “strengthen” come from?
The word “strengthen” comes from Middle English. From Middle English, formed by adding the verb ending "-en" to "strength.".
Is “strengthen” a common word?
“Strengthen” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between strengthen and reinforce?
Strengthen is the general verb for making something stronger, more solid, or more effective, from muscles to arguments. Reinforce usually means adding extra material or support to something that already exists — reinforcing a wall, a team, or a point — so it implies strengthening by addition.
What is the opposite of strengthen?
The direct opposite of strengthen is weaken. Depending on context, undermine (to weaken gradually), dilute, and erode also work as opposites.
Is it strengthen or strenghten?
The correct spelling is strengthen: strength plus the verb ending -en. The common misspelling "strenghten" swaps the t and h; keeping the base word strength in mind prevents the error.
What is the noun form of strengthen?
The related noun is strength — the quality the verb increases — and the action noun is strengthening: "the strengthening of the bridge". Strengthen itself is formed from strength plus the verb-forming suffix -en, as in lengthen and deepen.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include strengthen:
