STRENGTHEN

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does strengthen mean? 

• STRENGTHEN (verb)
  The verb STRENGTHEN has 3 senses:

1. make strong or stronger

2. gain strength

3. give a healthy elasticity to

  Familiarity information: STRENGTHEN used as a verb is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• STRENGTHEN (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they strengthen    ... he / she / it strengthens   
Past simple: strengthened   
Past participle: strengthened   
-ing form: strengthening   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Make strong or stronger

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Synonyms:

beef up; fortify; strengthen

Context example:

strengthen the relations between the two countries

Hypernyms (to "strengthen" is one way to...):

alter; change; modify (cause to change; make different; cause a transformation)

Cause:

strengthen (gain strength)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "strengthen"):

vitalise; vitalize (make more lively or vigorous)

ruggedise; ruggedize (produce in a version designed to withstand rough usage)

substantiate (solidify, firm, or strengthen)

restrengthen (make strong again)

brace up; undergird (make secure underneath)

confirm (make more firm)

reenforce; reinforce (make stronger)

buttress (make stronger or defensible)

brace; stabilise; stabilize; steady (support or hold steady and make steadfast, with or as if with a brace)

batten (secure with battens)

batten; batten down; secure (furnish with battens)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody
Something ----s something

Antonym:

weaken (lessen the strength of)

Derivation:

strengthener (a device designed to provide additional strength)

strengthening (the act of increasing the strength of something)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Gain strength

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Context example:

His body strengthened

Hypernyms (to "strengthen" is one way to...):

change (undergo a change; become different in essence; losing one's or its original nature)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "strengthen"):

consolidate (make firm or secure; strengthen)

proof (make resistant (to harm))

back (strengthen by providing with a back or backing)

sandbag (protect or strengthen with sandbags; stop up)

toughen (make tough or tougher)

Sentence frames:

Something ----s
Somebody ----s

Antonym:

weaken (become weaker)

Derivation:

strengthening (becoming stronger)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Give a healthy elasticity to

Classified under:

Verbs of grooming, dressing and bodily care

Synonyms:

strengthen; tone; tone up

Context example:

Let's tone our muscles

Hypernyms (to "strengthen" is one way to...):

exercise; work out (do physical exercise)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

 Context examples 

This discovery further strengthens the connection between Ceres, these meteorites and their parent bodies.

(Dawn Discovers Evidence for Organic Material on Ceres, NASA)

Clara is greatly strengthened and improved, but we can hardly expect so much from her.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

The WHO also recommends older adults perform muscle-strengthening exercises on at least two or more days a week.

(Aerobic Exercise May Mildly Delay, Slightly Improve Alzheimer's Symptoms, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

Climate models also project that tropical storm winds will strengthen as temperatures rise, and studies have shown that storms with stronger winds tend to produce higher rainfall.

(Why are big storms bringing so much more rain?, National Science Foundation)

Dear me! That strengthens my position very much, does it not?

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Under conditions of obesity and a high-fat diet, the cells that typically strengthen our immune system by killing viruses and pathogens instead increase blood sugar.

(When Liver Immune Cells Turn Bad, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

Adaptive styles of humour include affiliative humour, which is aimed at strengthening social relationships.

(Self-defeating humour promotes psychological well-being, University of Granada)

Data from NASA's Cassini spacecraft reveal complex organic molecules originating from Saturn's icy moon Enceladus, strengthening the idea that this ocean world hosts conditions suitable for life.

(Complex Organics Bubble up from Enceladus, NASA)

She feared it was a strengthening regard.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

And it did; for we returned at one o’clock, rested and strengthened by a hearty dinner.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)