strengthen | Definition of strengthen

1 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 of strengthen

beef (up), fortify, harden, toughen

Words Related to strengthen

anneal, temper

firm (up), tone (up)

energize, invigorate, vitalize

restrengthen

Near Antonyms of strengthen

cripple, incapacitate, paralyze

damage, harm, hurt, impair, injure

break down, wear out

sap, undercut, undermine

Antonyms of strengthen

debilitate, enervate, enfeeble, weaken

2 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 of strengthen

fortify, harden, indurate, inure, season, steel, toughen

Words Related to strengthen

acclimate, acclimatize, adapt, adjust

anneal, temper

invigorate, vitalize

immunize

bolster, boost, brace, buttress, enforce, forearm, prop (up), reinforce (also reenforce), support

break in, limber (up), train

accustom, condition, habituate, naturalize

Near Antonyms of strengthen

emasculate, enervate, enfeeble, exhaust, sap, weaken

cripple, debilitate, hamstring, incapacitate

sensitize

Antonyms of strengthen

soften

3 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 of strengthen

accentuate, amp (up), amplify, beef (up), boost, consolidate, deepen, enhance, heighten, intensify, magnify, redouble, step up

Words Related to strengthen

broaden, enlarge, expand, extend, lengthen

accelerate, hasten, quicken

emphasize, point (up), sharpen, stress

augment, enforce, reinforce (also reenforce), restrengthen, supplement

maximize

enliven, jazz (up)

aggravate, exacerbate

Near Antonyms of strengthen

decrease, diminish, lessen, let up (on), reduce, subdue, tone (down), weaken

dwindle, recede, subside, taper (off), wane

alleviate, ease, lighten

Antonyms of strengthen

abate, moderate

4 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 of strengthen

brace, forearm, fortify, nerve, poise, psych (up), ready, steel

Words Related to strengthen

arm

harden, inure, season, toughen

bolster, boost, buoy (up), buttress, enforce, prop (up), reinforce (also reenforce), support, sustain

cheer (up), comfort, embolden, encourage, hearten, inspire

Synonyms and Antonyms of strengthen

WORD OF THE DAY

restive