strengthen

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.

“Strengthen” is pronounced STREHNG-thuhn (/ˈstɹɛŋ(k)θən/ in IPA).

Here is “strengthen” used in a sentence: “Regular exercise strengthens the heart.”

Words with a similar meaning to “strengthen” include anneal, brace, build up, confirm, enstrengthen and fortify.

The opposite of “strengthen” — its antonyms — are weaken, atrophy, debilitate, enervate and enfeeble.

“Strengthen” is a verb.

The word “strengthen” comes from Middle English. From Middle English, formed by adding the verb ending "-en" to "strength.".

“Strengthen” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

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.

The direct opposite of strengthen is weaken. Depending on context, undermine (to weaken gradually), dilute, and erode also work as opposites.

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.

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.