strengthen
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
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English [edit]
Pronunciation [edit]
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Audio (US) (file)
Etymology [edit]
Verb [edit]
strengthen (third-person singular simple present strengthens, present participle strengthening, simple past and past participle strengthened)
- (transitive) To make strong or stronger; to add strength to; to increase the strength of; to fortify; to reinforce.
- to strengthen a limb, a bridge, an army
- to strengthen an obligation
- to strengthen authority.
- 1851, Anonymous, Arthur Hamilton, and His Dog
- A little hardship, and a little struggling with the rougher elements of life, will perchance but strengthen and increase his courage, and prepare him for the conflicts and struggles of after years.
- (transitive) To animate; to give moral strength to; to encourage; to fix in resolution; to hearten.
- (transitive) To augment; to improve; to intensify.
- (intransitive) To grow strong or stronger.
Antonyms [edit]
Translations [edit]
to make strong or stronger
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to animate
to augment
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to grow strong or stronger
Derived terms [edit]
References [edit]
- strengthen in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913