reinforce
Formsreinforces, reinforcing, reinforced
- 1To make something stronger, especially by adding material or support to it.
Engineers reinforce concrete with steel bars so it can carry heavier loads.
The garrison reinforced its defenses along the river overnight.
Similarstrengthen, fortify, bolster, brace, support
Note
Strength here comes by addition, whether of troops or of material. The word is built from re- and inforce. When John Speed writes in 1611 that the beaten-back Normans were "more whetted to re-enforce themselves," his hyphen keeps both parts visible, and the strength he means is fresh men. Modern use applies the same idea to things as readily as to armies: a handle reinforced with a rod, concrete with steel.
- 2To encourage a particular behavior or idea by providing a stimulus repeatedly.
Like wearing a path into grass by walking the same route again and again.
Consistent rewards reinforce the desired behavior when training animals.
The coach reinforced good habits through daily drills and steady feedback.
Similarencourage, strengthen, promote, foster
Oppositediscourage
Note
Repetition does the work here, and what gets strengthened is often something unwelcome: advertising reinforces unhealthy tendencies, and a public rant reinforces stereotypes. Contrast the "emphasize" meaning, where a teacher reinforces a lesson on purpose. In this sense the object is a habit or belief, and the reinforcing need not be intended at all. Objects like stereotypes, prejudices and tendencies are a good sign you are in this sense.
- 3To emphasize or review something so that it is better understood or remembered.
The instructor reinforced the safety procedures before the lab began.
Good summaries reinforce the lecture's main arguments for students.
Similaremphasize, stress, underline, underscore, reiterate
Use it in a sentence
Write your own sentence with reinforce, and AI will tell you whether it fits and which meaning you used.
Origin
Formed from the prefix re- and inforce.