Synonyms of strengthen

strengthen

verb

ˈstreŋ(k)-thən 

1

as in to harden

to increase the ability of (as a muscle) to exert physical force

lifting weights every day will eventually strengthen your muscles

the army makes new recruits run for miles in order to strengthen them

Synonyms & Similar Words

• harden
• fortify
• toughen
• energize
• temper
• beef (up)
• invigorate
• vitalize
• tone (up)
• anneal
• firm (up)
• restrengthen

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• weaken
• hurt
• impair
• cripple
• paralyze
• injure
• harm
• damage
• debilitate
• enfeeble
• undermine
• enervate
• incapacitate
• wear out
• break down
• undercut
• sap

2

as in to fortify

to make able to withstand physical hardship, strain, or exposure

required weeks of physical therapy to strengthen his arm enough to pitch for the team again

Synonyms & Similar Words

• fortify
• harden
• adjust
• bolster
• reinforce
• toughen
• inure
• steel
• adapt
• brace
• season
• boost
• support
• invigorate
• indurate
• vitalize
• enforce
• acclimate
• temper
• acclimatize
• reenforce
• immunize
• buttress
• anneal
• condition
• accustom
• train
• break in
• prop (up)
• habituate
• naturalize
• forearm
• limber (up)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• soften
• weaken
• exhaust
• emasculate
• sap
• cripple
• hamstring
• incapacitate
• sensitize
• enfeeble
• enervate
• debilitate

3

as in to enhance

to make markedly greater in measure or degree

encouraged the boarding school students to strengthen their ties with the community by doing public service

Synonyms & Similar Words

• enhance
• intensify
• deepen
• heighten
• consolidate
• reinforce
• broaden
• boost
• sharpen
• amplify
• expand
• redouble
• accentuate
• step up
• augment
• emphasize
• extend
• magnify
• lengthen
• beef (up)
• enforce
• accelerate
• maximize
• supplement
• enlarge
• amp (up)
• hasten
• quicken
• point (up)
• enliven
• reenforce
• restrengthen
• exacerbate
• stress
• aggravate
• jazz (up)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• reduce
• weaken
• decrease
• diminish
• moderate
• tone (down)
• lessen
• abate
• subdue
• recede
• alleviate
• subside
• lighten
• ease
• let up (on)
• wane
• dwindle
• taper (off)

4

as in to brace

to prepare (oneself) mentally or emotionally

strengthened herself for the moment she'd have to tell her friend that she had lost the borrowed necklace

Synonyms & Similar Words

• fortify
• brace
• ready
• nerve
• steel
• reinforce
• bolster
• enforce
• poise
• forearm
• psych (up)
• arm
• sustain
• encourage
• inure
• harden
• comfort
• buttress
• inspire
• reenforce
• toughen
• boost
• support
• season
• buoy (up)
• rouse
• embolden
• stir
• rally
• prop (up)
• hearten
• cheer (up)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• shake
• discourage
• undermine
• demoralize
• weaken
• daunt
• unnerve
• soften
• dishearten
• undercut
• debilitate
• psych (out)
• dispirit
• enfeeble
• sap
• tire
• prostrate
• enervate

5

as in to stiffen

to make more harsh, uncompromising, or severe

a bill was introduced to strengthen punishments for hate crimes

Synonyms & Similar Words

• stiffen
• toughen
• harden
• harshen

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ease
• lessen
• soften
• ameliorate
• moderate

Examples of strengthen in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

And strides within the MS community to bring about awareness have only strengthened the hope for those living with the condition. —Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 30 Oct. 2024

Look and play the part and strengthen your position. —Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 29 Oct. 2024

Made with hydrating and strengthening ingredients like squalane, rosemary oil, clary oil, and pea protein, Dr. Madfes says that the star of this formula is actually moringa. —Neha Tandon, Glamour, 28 Oct. 2024

This habit of regular saving will strengthen your financial stability. —True Tamplin, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2024