strengthen
B2Formal to Neutral
Definition
Meaning
To make something stronger or more robust.
To increase the effectiveness, power, or resilience of something; to reinforce; to become stronger.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily used as a transitive verb. Can be applied literally (materials, structures) or figuratively (relationships, arguments, economies). Often implies a deliberate or necessary action to improve stability or capacity.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning or usage. Minor variations in typical collocates within specific domains (e.g., finance, policy).
Connotations
Slightly more frequent in UK political and regulatory discourse ('strengthen safeguards'). In US, common in business and self-help contexts ('strengthen your core', 'strengthen the brand').
Frequency
Comparably frequent in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[VN] - strengthen something[V] - something strengthensVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “strengthen your hand”
- “strengthen someone's resolve”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
To improve market position, financials, or operational efficiency.
Academic
To add supporting evidence to an argument or theory.
Everyday
To make a physical object more durable or a relationship more secure.
Technical
In engineering, to add structural support; in computing, to enhance security protocols.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The new data will strengthen the case for stricter regulations.
- Exercises to strengthen your core are essential.
- The pound strengthened against the euro yesterday.
American English
- The merger will strengthen our market position.
- We need to strengthen our cybersecurity measures.
- Her resolve strengthened after meeting the survivors.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- This exercise will strengthen your legs.
- Eat good food to strengthen your body.
- They want to strengthen the friendship between the two countries.
- The company took steps to strengthen its finances.
- The research findings significantly strengthen the hypothesis proposed earlier.
- New trade agreements aim to strengthen economic ties across the region.
- The treaty provision was amended to strengthen its enforceability and close potential loopholes.
- Her unwavering testimony served to strengthen the prosecution's case immeasurably.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'STRENGTH' + 'EN' (to make). You make something have more strength.
Conceptual Metaphor
STRENGTH IS STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY (buttress, bolster, reinforce); STRENGTH IS INCREASED QUANTITY (build up, boost).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'stress' or 'strain'. The Russian equivalent 'усилить' is close, but 'strengthen' is less likely to be used for temporary intensification (use 'intensify').
Common Mistakes
- Using 'strengthen' intransitively without 'up' is rare and formal ('The wind strengthened'). 'Strength' (noun) is often incorrectly used as a verb.
- Incorrect: *'I need to strength my English.' Correct: 'I need to strengthen my English.'
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the LEAST likely meaning of 'strengthen' in a business report?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, commonly with words like 'resolve', 'belief', 'determination', 'bond'.
'Strengthen' implies making something more solid, powerful, or resilient. 'Intensify' implies increasing the degree, force, or amount, often of a process or sensation (e.g., light, pain, effort).
Yes, it is regular: strengthen - strengthened - strengthened.
No, 'stronger' is already the comparative form. 'More stronger' is a grammatical error. Similarly, 'strengthen' does not take 'more' before it as a verb.