# strengthen

Pronunciation: say "STRENGK-thuhn" /ˈstɹɛŋ(k)θən/

## Verb

1. To make someone or something stronger, or to add strength to it.
   - Simple: To make something stronger or harder to break.
   - _Regular training strengthens the heart and improves circulation._
   - _Engineers strengthen the dam each decade to withstand higher water levels._
2. To grow stronger, or to increase in strength.
   - Simple: To slowly become stronger or more powerful.
   - _The economy strengthened steadily over the following quarters._
   - _As the currents strengthen, surfers head out to catch bigger waves._
3. To reinforce or support someone or something by adding to it.
   - Simple: To give more support to someone or something.
   - _International aid strengthened the region's struggling hospitals._
   - _Clear rules strengthen an organization and protect its members._
4. To augment, improve, or intensify something.
   - Simple: To make something greater, better, or more powerful.
   - _The marketing campaign strengthened the brand's appeal among young buyers._
   - _These reforms strengthen the country's ability to respond to crises._
5. To give someone moral strength; to encourage or embolden.
   - Simple: To give someone more courage, hope, or inner strength.
   - _The general's speech strengthened the weary soldiers before the final push._
   - _Knowing her family supported her helped strengthen her resolve._
6. To substantiate or corroborate a belief or argument with further evidence.
   - Simple: To give more proof or support to an idea or argument.
   - _The latest findings strengthen the hypothesis that the lake is drying up._
   - _Independent test results strengthened the researchers' conclusions._

## Origin

From rare Middle English strengthenen (14th century), from earlier strengthen (12th century), where -en was the infinitive ending. The form was probably reinterpreted as strength + -en around the time the infinitive ending was being dropped in late Middle English.

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/strengthen (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).