strengthen

verb
/ˈstɹɛŋ(k)θən/

To make strong or stronger; to add strength to; to increase the strength of; to fortify.

Example

“strengthen a muscle”

Other meanings

To empower; to give moral strength to; to encourage; to enhearten.
To augment; to improve; to intensify.

Synonyms

beef up

Antonyms

weaken
atrophy

Related words

enstrengthen
instrengthen
prestrengthen
restrengthen
strengthenable
nonstrengthened
unstrengthened
strengtheningly
unstrengthening
strengthen up
strengthener
strengthening plaster

Example sentences

“We must strengthen our alliance.”
Tatoeba · Igider · CC0

Word history

From Middle English "strengthenen".

Where this comes from

This definition is adapted from “strengthen” on Wiktionary, by its contributors; example sentences are from Tatoeba, credited to their authors above; related-word lists use Open English WordNet (CC BY 4.0, based on Princeton WordNet), published under CC BY-SA 4.0. This page is published under the same licence.