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Definition of strengthen verb from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

strengthen

verb
 
/ˈstreŋkθn/
 
/ˈstreŋkθn/
Word Family
  • strong adjective
  • strongly adverb
  • strength noun
  • strengthen verb
Verb Forms
present simple I / you / we / they strengthen
 
/ˈstreŋkθn/
 
/ˈstreŋkθn/
he / she / it strengthens
 
/ˈstreŋkθnz/
 
/ˈstreŋkθnz/
past simple strengthened
 
/ˈstreŋkθnd/
 
/ˈstreŋkθnd/
past participle strengthened
 
/ˈstreŋkθnd/
 
/ˈstreŋkθnd/
-ing form strengthening
 
/ˈstreŋkθənɪŋ/
 
/ˈstreŋkθənɪŋ/
jump to other results
  1. [intransitive, transitive] to become more powerful or effective; to make somebody/something more powerful or effective
    • Her position in the party has strengthened in recent weeks.
    • strengthen somebody/something The move is clearly intended to strengthen the president's position as head of state.
    • The new evidence will strengthen their case.
    • The new manager has strengthened the side by bringing in several younger players.
    Extra Examples
    • The new law is aimed at strengthening protective measures for workers.
    • The success in the election strengthened the party's position considerably.
    • This merger will further strengthen the company and ensure its continued success.
  2. [transitive] strengthen somebody/something to become physically stronger
    • The exercises are designed to strengthen your stomach muscles.
    • Repairs are necessary to strengthen the bridge.
  3. [transitive, intransitive] strengthen (something) to make a feeling, an opinion or a relationship stronger; to become stronger
    • This temporary setback merely strengthened her resolve.
    • Their attitude only strengthened his resolve to fight on.
    • The experience of bereavement can strengthen family ties.
    • His determination only strengthened in the face of this opposition.
  4. [intransitive] (of a natural force) to become stronger
    • The wind had strengthened overnight.
    Topics Health and Fitnessb2
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb
    • considerably
    • enormously
    • greatly
    verb + strengthen
    • help (to)
    • serve to
    • be designed to
    preposition
    • against
    phrases
    • an attempt to strengthen something
    • an effort to strengthen something
    • be aimed at strengthening something
    See full entry
  5. [intransitive, transitive] (of a country's currency or economy ) to become stronger; to make a currency or an economy stronger
    • strengthen (against something) Yesterday the pound strengthened against the dollar.
    • The fall in unemployment is a sign of a strengthening economy.
    • strengthen something The measures should help create jobs and strengthen the economy.
    opposite weaken
See strengthen in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee strengthen in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English
dizzy
adjective
 
 
From the Topic
Health problems
C1
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