reinforce
B2Formal to neutral
Definition
Meaning
To strengthen or support something, especially by adding material, evidence, or additional resources.
To make an idea, feeling, or habit stronger or more established; to increase the numbers or strength of military forces.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often implies making something already existing stronger or more resistant, rather than creating something new. Carries connotations of support, durability, and confirmation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling is identical. Both varieties use the word with similar frequency across registers.
Connotations
Identical connotations of strength, support, and confirmation in both varieties.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American academic and business texts, but the difference is marginal.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
reinforce somethingreinforce something with somethingbe reinforced by somethingVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Reinforce the ranks”
- “Reinforce a stereotype”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used to describe strengthening a team, strategy, or market position. 'The merger will reinforce our presence in Asia.'
Academic
Common in psychology (reinforce behaviour), education (reinforce learning), and engineering (reinforce materials). 'The study data reinforces the initial hypothesis.'
Everyday
Used to talk about making something stronger, like a belief or a physical object. 'Bad weather reinforced my decision to stay home.'
Technical
In engineering/construction: to add material to increase strength. In military: to send additional troops. 'The bridge was reinforced with steel beams.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The manager hopes to reinforce the team with new signings in January.
- We used steel rods to reinforce the concrete lintel.
- His calm demeanour reinforced our confidence in his leadership.
American English
- The general decided to reinforce the battalion with fresh troops.
- The data reinforces the need for policy change.
- Parents should reinforce positive behavior with praise.
adverb
British English
- N/A - 'Reinforce' does not have a standard adverb form. 'Reinforcingly' is non-standard and extremely rare.
American English
- N/A - 'Reinforce' does not have a standard adverb form. 'Reinforcingly' is non-standard and extremely rare.
adjective
British English
- The reinforced glass withstood the impact.
- They deployed reinforced concrete barriers.
American English
- He wore a reinforced helmet for safety.
- The package was sent in reinforced cardboard.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The teacher used pictures to reinforce the new words.
- My dad put a metal bar on the door to reinforce it.
- Good test results reinforce a student's motivation to study.
- The army sent more soldiers to reinforce the border.
- The research findings strongly reinforce the theory of climate change.
- The company reinforced its cybersecurity after the attack.
- His public apology served only to reinforce the perception of his guilt.
- The treaty was designed to reinforce economic ties while mitigating political risks.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a FORCE that comes RE-IN (again) to make something stronger. RE-IN-FORCE.
Conceptual Metaphor
STRENGTH IS ADDITIVE MATERIAL (adding layers to make something stronger), SUPPORT IS A FOUNDATION (providing a base that holds something up).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating as 'реинформировать' (re-inform). The core is strength, not information.
- Do not confuse with 'reform' (реформировать).
- The prefix 're-' here means 'again' but in the sense of 'adding to', not 'doing over'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'reinforce' to mean 'repeat' without the connotation of strengthening. (Incorrect: 'He reinforced the same point five times.' Better: 'He repeated...')
- Misspelling as 're-enforce' or 'reenforce'.
- Using it intransitively (e.g., 'The argument reinforces.' needs an object: 'The argument reinforces the theory.')
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the LEAST likely meaning of 'reinforce'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While repeating something can reinforce it, 'reinforce' specifically means to make stronger or more firmly established. Repetition is just one method of reinforcement.
Yes. It can be used neutrally (reinforce a wall) or positively (reinforce good behaviour), but also negatively (reinforce a prejudice, reinforce negative stereotypes).
The main noun forms are 'reinforcement' (the act or process) and 'reinforcements' (additional people or things sent to provide strength).
They are very close synonyms. 'Reinforce' often implies adding something external or extra to an existing structure or idea, while 'strengthen' can be more general, including internal development (e.g., strengthen your muscles).