strengthenstrength‧en /ˈstreŋθən, ˈstrenθən/ ●●○ W3 verb 
Our friendship has steadily strengthened over the years. Steve’s opposition only strengthened her resolve to go ahead.strengthen something’s ties/bonds/links etc The university hopes to strengthen its ties with the local community. The company plans to strengthen its hand (=make itself more powerful) in Europe by opening an office in Spain.2team/army etc [transitive] to make an organization, army etc more powerful, especially by increasing the number or quality of the people in it OPP weaken: The team has been strengthened by the arrival of two new players.3financial situation [intransitive, transitive] if the financial situation of a country or company strengthens or is strengthened, it improves or is made to improve OPP weaken: measures to strengthen the economy4money [intransitive, transitive] to increase in value, or to increase the value of money OPP weaken: The pound has strengthened against other currencies.5body/structure [transitive] to make something such as your body or a building stronger OPP weaken: Metal supports were added to strengthen the outer walls.6proof/reason [transitive] to help prove something: Fresh evidence has greatly strengthened the case against him.7wind/current [intransitive] to increase in force: The wind had strengthened during the night.COLLOCATIONSnounsstrengthen somebody's position· They have strengthened their position by their performance in the recent local elections.strengthen somebody's hand (=make them more powerful)· The controversy has strengthened the hand of her critics.strengthen somebody's resolve (=make them more determined)· Other people's doubts only strengthened my resolve to start my own business.strengthen ties/bonds/links· He wants to strengthen ties with the West.strengthen a relationship· Having counselling is a very positive step which could strengthen your relationship.strengthen the role of somebody/something· A presidential decree strengthened the role of the Security Council.
VERB TABLE
strengthen
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | strengthen |
| he, she, it | strengthens | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | strengthened |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have strengthened |
| he, she, it | has strengthened | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had strengthened |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will strengthen |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have strengthened |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | I | am strengthening |
| he, she, it | is strengthening | |
| you, we, they | are strengthening | |
| Past | I, he, she, it | was strengthening |
| you, we, they | were strengthening | |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been strengthening |
| he, she, it | has been strengthening | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been strengthening |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be strengthening |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been strengthening |
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- A poor harvest in 1842, and the imminence of winter, strengthened their determination.
- a set of exercises to strengthen the leg muscles
- Ali's testimony seems to have strengthened the case for the prosecution.
- I've started swimming to strengthen my upper body.
- The dollar has steadily strengthened against the yen in recent weeks.
- The President's first priority was to strengthen the economy.
- The quarrel only served to strengthen my resolve to start out on my own.
- The ship's decks will have to be strengthened to carry the extra weight.
- The walls were strengthened with steel rods.
- We're looking for ways to strengthen our sales team.
- Woolley felt certain that he had made an important discovery and his conviction was strengthened as more evidence came to light.
- And conceivably the rugged traits which permit of survival in this contest are passed on to strengthen the generations that follow.
- Heinz suggested that laws and constitutions of countries should be strengthened to make international declarations against torture into enforceable law.
- It shows them up for what they really are, and only strengthens my resolve.
- Recruited to the board by Hooker, Bok said he had tried to help him strengthen the university.
- Should we buy euros in an attempt to strengthen what is an insecure currency?
- Spiritual healing aims to correct these deep-seated imbalances by strengthening the flow of the life-force and removing any negative forces or imbalances.
- The first section focuses on changing counterproductive patterns of communication between parents and children, thus strengthening family relationships.
Longman Language Activatorto make feelings become stronger
· Vague explanations of her illness only increased her fear and anxiety.· Some analysts say the new law could increase expectations of an economic recovery.· The cut in interest rates will help to increase confidence in the housing market.
to make something such as someone's determination or belief increase so that it is even stronger than it was before: · The quarrel only served to strengthen my resolve to start out on my own.· A poor harvest in 1842, and the imminence of winter, strengthened their determination.· Woolley felt certain that he had made an important discovery and his conviction was strengthened as more evidence came to light.
if something heightens knowledge, fears, the effect of something etc, it makes it increase so that it is felt more strongly: · Publicity has heightened awareness of the threats to the environment.· The divorce heightened speculation about a possible second marriage.· Fears of an invasion were heightened by long-range bomb attacks.
to increase a feeling or problem, so that it becomes worse: · I didn't want to add to the confusion, so I stayed quiet.· Adding to the burden are the continuing costs of German reunification.· Natural catastrophes like droughts have also added to the problems of the continent.add insult to injury informal (=to make a bad situation that you have caused much worse than it was before): · She runs off with another man, and to add insult to injury demands huge sums in alimony.
if something raises people's hopes, consciousness etc, it makes them more hopeful, conscious etc: · It's the first school in Scotland to become self-governing, and has raised deep concerns in the local community.· The human rights campaign has raised public awareness of the torture going on in the country.
to make feelings of doubt, worry, hope etc grow stronger: · The President's absence from the May Day parade has fuelled speculation that he is seriously ill.· There are growing fears for the safety of the kidnap victims -- fears that have been fuelled by rumours of new terrorist threats.
to make something stronger to make something physically stronger: · I've put in some extra posts to make the fence stronger.· A final heat treatment makes the glass much stronger and improves its optical qualities.
to make something strong, especially by adding something else: · The ship's decks will have to be strengthened to carry the extra weight.· a set of exercises to strengthen the leg muscles· The walls were strengthened with steel rods.
to make part of a building or structure stronger: · Huge beams have been added at the top of the walls to reinforce the carved medieval roof.· The sea wall at Southend is being reinforced with tons of cement.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRYnouns Recent events strengthened her resolve to find out the truth.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB
· They have strengthened their position by their performance in the recent local elections.
(=make them more powerful)· The controversy has strengthened the hand of her critics.
(=make them more determined)· Other people's doubts only strengthened my resolve to start my own business.
· He wants to strengthen ties with the West.
· Having counselling is a very positive step which could strengthen your relationship.
· A presidential decree strengthened the role of the Security Council.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES· Sharing experiences strengthens bonds with friends.
(=make them stronger)· If you strengthen the muscles in your back you are less likely to have back problems.
(=give someone a bigger advantage)· People said that he used the conflict to strengthen his own position.
Recent events strengthened her resolve to find out the truth.· Cambrian Coast line services were also strengthened.· The banks are also strengthening their links with university researchers.· The epidemiological critique has also strengthened.· It will cleanse, condition and also strengthen your hair.· The foreground is also strengthened with the same sweeping strokes.
· The customer base was considerably strengthened and a variety of new products launched.· If this could be accomplished, the teaching of the master would not only prevail, they would be considerably strengthened.· Once crowned, his position had divine sanction, was regarded by the church as sacrosanct, and so was considerably strengthened.· In a short period of rapid theoretical development the emergent core of regional planning principles and practices strengthened considerably.
· This will further strengthen the company and ensure that it is well set up to face the next decade with confidence.· The radical right's anxieties had been further strengthened by the effects of the Bolshevik revolution of 1917.· Patrick has given orders for it to be strengthened further, at Edward's expense.· The Faculty's commitment to research has recently been strengthened further by new appointments to seven Chairs.· The Länder had considerable financial independence and their position in the Bundesrat further strengthened their powers.· New signings David James and Paul Stewart have further strengthened a strong squad that has been rejuvenated in the last year.· There are already strong business links which will be further strengthened.
· Nuclear nervousness predates Chernobyl; but what happened there greatly strengthened it.· Remember, professionally speaking, there is here the exciting potential for greatly strengthening the teaching aspect of the library media program.· We make it impossible to use, when in fact that voice might greatly strengthen our writing.· His own position has been greatly strengthened and the election has been a personal triumph for him.· These new committees have greatly strengthened the House so far as controlling the Executive is concerned.· But Asquith's refusal greatly strengthened the Unionist position. as it left Lloyd George wholly dependent on his allies.· This move has greatly strengthened the regulatory force of accounting standards.
· The first section focuses on changing counterproductive patterns of communication between parents and children, thus strengthening family relationships.
NOUN· International investment agreements need to strengthen governments' ability to stand up to corporations.· In retrospect, I realize that this strengthened my ability to become an effective leader.
· The coveted contract helps strengthen arguments proposing Tuxedo as a defacto standard.· The new surge of complaints could strengthen the argument that Britain needs to frame more acceptable noise legislation.
· The balance of the proceeds will be used to strengthen the balance sheet.
· He still believed that lovemaking was a sign and a strengthening of the sacramental bond between two people.
· Contextual and generic considerations strengthen this case.· The White House seeks to strengthen the case for its faith-based initiative.· Galileo and Kepler certainly strengthened the case in favour of the Copernican theory.· He believes that ScotRail's 9 percent increase in revenue over the past year has strengthened his case for a buy-out.· Fundholding strengthens the case for pharmacists working in health centres.· This strengthens the case for powers to be granted to the United Nations to deal with such conflicts.· Their absence strengthened the case against Lorton.· Labour's acceptance of the market strengthens the increasingly powerful case for government intervening selectively.
· The federal government also has strengthened its commitment to early childhood programs.· Ministers were influenced by three factors in their decision to strengthen commitment to the games.
· By the same token we must strengthen our communities and our sense of community.· The Catholic Church is actively promoting the celebrations as a way to strengthen family and community ties and distract kids from gangs.· Community organizing indirectly produces positive health impacts, through strengthening social networks, community participation, psychological empowerment, and community competence.· In particular, the new government announced policies to strengthen community control of development.
· There had been speculation that Mr Mugabe would be challenged at the congress, but he strengthened his control over the party.· In particular, the new government announced policies to strengthen community control of development.
· But now a strengthening California economy, spearheaded by a boom in Silicon Valley, has sent prices modestly upward.
· Part of the reason is the government's effort to strengthen the security forces.· Omar Hassan Ahmad al-Bashir, was interpreted as an effort to strengthen the executive and to broaden the government's representation.· Despite recent efforts to strengthen it, modernization theory has few academic supporters today.· This effort has been strengthened by Police input into driver training schools operated by both major Lothian based bus companies.
· We're trying our best to strengthen the family and make men more conscious of women's rights.· The Catholic Church is actively promoting the celebrations as a way to strengthen family and community ties and distract kids from gangs.· Even gifts made to individuals are as a rule intended to strengthen family links.· The first section focuses on changing counterproductive patterns of communication between parents and children, thus strengthening family relationships.· Here, the strengthening of family values and citizenship go hand in hand.· Every public official is dedicated to strengthening the family.· This should, if anything, strengthen the family and encourage childbearing.· Beyond attracting talented workers, workplace-based educa-tional programs for dads may help support the organizational mission by strengthening families.
· Part of the reason is the government's effort to strengthen the security forces.· Concessions strengthened the forces arrayed against it; reaction guaranteed renewed revolutionary protest.
· There are other ways too of strengthening the hand of governments.· He followed his re-election with a Cabinet reshuffle designed to strengthen support within the government for his market-oriented economic reforms.
· This exercise is also designed to strengthen your hands and arms but is more advanced than the last one.· Up to a point, it is bound to strengthen the hand of reformers.· But if it were granted it would significantly strengthen the conservationists' hand politically.· My connection to a politically active national organization had strengthened my hand immeasurably.· This weakened the Section's influence at a crucial time and correspondingly strengthened the hand of the Treasury.· Others strengthened weak hands by molding clay.· Campbell believed he could strengthen his hand by making an example of a council member in order to demonstrate where power lay.· Patten promises to strengthen hand of pollution agency.
· Despite its many inadequacies, it gives us some picture of Sussex life as the Normans strengthened their hold.
· In particular, they wanted to strengthen the law against badger digging.· We will strengthen equality before the law and equality of opportunity for the majority of the population - women.· It asked for their support in getting the law changed, and the guidelines strengthened by law.· That involves strengthening laws, and enforcing them-hard in states cursed by corruption.· The aim of the 1911 Act was to strengthen the law against spying.
· Even gifts made to individuals are as a rule intended to strengthen family links.· The banks are also strengthening their links with university researchers.· Worse still, our elected representatives, far from strengthening their links with voters, actually become less accountable to them.· Active steps were also taken to strengthen links with local trade unions.· The Reception was a great success, and strengthened still further the link between the School and the Company.
· Even gifts made to individuals are as a rule intended to strengthen family links.· The banks are also strengthening their links with university researchers.· Worse still, our elected representatives, far from strengthening their links with voters, actually become less accountable to them.· Active steps were also taken to strengthen links with local trade unions.
· The directive is designed to ease labour market restrictions and strengthen the single market.
· The good news is that you can strengthen pelvic floor muscles through exercises.· For example, football players should focus strengthening lower extremity muscles.· This week she has devised the Oblique Crunch, to strengthen abdominal muscles.· The group strengthened like a muscle.· He joined in exercise classes to stretch and strengthen his muscles, and consequently became increasingly disabled.· This situation will respond to exercises directed at strengthening the muscles.· They will be able to advise you and may recommend exercises to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles or other treatment.· Treatment often begins with simple Kegel exercises designed to strengthen pelvic muscles.
· Will your new policy mean a strengthening of relations with the United States?· In particular, the new government announced policies to strengthen community control of development.
· His own position has been greatly strengthened and the election has been a personal triumph for him.· With the acquisition of Normandy from its Angevin rulers in 1204, Philip's position was strengthened.
· This particular proposal was not carried further, but the ensuing legislation did strengthen the powers for making agreements.· Are government institutions strong enough to withstand a strengthened executive power?· A series of Acts followed which strengthened the powers of magistrates.· We intend to strengthen our confiscatory powers still further.· The Länder had considerable financial independence and their position in the Bundesrat further strengthened their powers.· This strengthens the case for powers to be granted to the United Nations to deal with such conflicts.· His new wife was Beatrice of Burgundy, and the marriage was part of the complex Second Plan to strengthen imperial power.· Jana's work is based on the belief that exploring creative expression is one way of finding and strengthening our inner power.
· Mr Bulder's appointment is another key strategic move by Verio to strengthen its global presence.
· However, the level of conversation that really deepens and strengthens a relationship goes deeper than facts, ideas and opinions.· On the contrary, it will strengthen the relationship.· Nobody should be forced to be dependent on others, but strengthening people's relationships with the state is no alternative.· Legalization also appears to have strengthened relationships between amnesty recipients and their relatives living abroad.· The program's goal is to encourage and strengthen supplier relationships and improve communication by defining customer - supplier expectations.· The first section focuses on changing counterproductive patterns of communication between parents and children, thus strengthening family relationships.· Create Daily Rituals for Connection How can you strengthen your relationship on a daily basis?· They are powerful ways to strengthen your marital relationship, keeping it rich, rewarding, and fun.
· It shows them up for what they really are, and only strengthens my resolve.· Undoubtedly Margaret helped strengthen her resolve.· She felt her anger grow colder, not hot, strengthening her resolve.· The resulting humiliation should serve to strengthen your resolve.· He clenched his fists at his sides to strengthen his resolve.· In fact, the courage shown by their martyred brothers and sisters had only strengthened their resolve to persevere.· Their move away from video, while strengthening a resolve with the fans, has been strongly criticised within business circles.· Her defiance also seemed to strengthen Roy's resolve to put up with the treatment and get well.
· Each group alters the leadership roles to strengthen the task-oriented role at the expense of the maintenance role.· The event is crucial in strengthening the role of the Commonwealth Judo Association.· The report emphasises the need to strengthen the roles of primary care and of acute local hospitals.· Dublin-based director Brian Merriman has re-written the famous old show, strengthening some roles and re-shaping others to suit modern tastes.
· Lawrence could strengthen his squad for a final promotion push.· New signings David James and Paul Stewart have further strengthened a strong squad that has been rejuvenated in the last year.· Chapman strengthened his squad by buying Charlie Jones from Nottingham Forest.
· However, his own plans rely on strengthening the central system.· The close relationship of the Metro East center to the other regional centers which strengthens the statewide support system. 5.· Aromatherapy, in common with other natural therapies, aims to strengthen the immune system.· The greatest challenge is strengthening judicial systems, which in some countries have long been susceptible to bribery or political pressure.· This will help to strengthen the capital budgeting system and should produce more satisfactory projects.· Another key issue for the fund is to define the balance between supplying new commodities and strengthening health systems.· The Auld review will also contain a series of recommendations aimed at strengthening the jury system.
· Mr Marshall argued that with a strengthened management team, Railtrack intended to repay passengers' patience.· His partnership strengthened the Balbirnie team in shareholding terms, broadening its equity base.· But he lost out on the First Division title because he was reluctant to strengthen the team.· Then he was drafted into Laura's studio where his technical expertise was critical in strengthening the developing team.· To meet the challenge we have strengthened our management team to provide the foundation for further soundly based growth.· Leadership training programmes are being set up to strengthen team building and the working skills that go with it.· His milling design skills were soon recognised by, then responsible for engineering, who recruited to strengthen his team.
· A wide variety of valuable lessons is learned at such times when the pupils strengthen their ties with the School Community.· The Catholic Church is actively promoting the celebrations as a way to strengthen family and community ties and distract kids from gangs.· Only in a prosperous and well-governed Britain can we strengthen the ties of our community.· They strengthen the ties between students and potential employers.· Both sides agreed to strengthen political ties with regular consultations at foreign minister level.· When all goes well during this time, a gradual strengthening of ties between parent and infant occurs.· The Pittsburgh-based Westinghouse is sharply reducing its longstanding role as a military contractor in order to strengthen ties to the entertainment industry.· Forbes also is strengthening his ties to Republicans in Congress, even as he continues to play the outsider.
VERB· Aromatherapy, in common with other natural therapies, aims to strengthen the immune system.· The Auld review will also contain a series of recommendations aimed at strengthening the jury system.
· Incentive systems should be designed to promote and strengthen the social purposes and values of the organisation.· First, some of the economic functions of government are designed to strengthen and facilitate the operation of the market system.· Treatment often begins with simple Kegel exercises designed to strengthen pelvic muscles.
· Some can also help to strengthen thin and weak hair whilst others help hair look fuller and healthier.· Undoubtedly Margaret helped strengthen her resolve.· It will also help strengthen nails and moisturise cuticles.· Recruited to the board by Hooker, Bok said he had tried to help him strengthen the university.· The exercises will help protect and strengthen her back in the future.· Skill Standards Another way in which employer organizations can help strengthen preparation for work is through the development of skill standards.· The third exercise, leg lifts, is to help strengthen your back.· This will help to strengthen the capital budgeting system and should produce more satisfactory projects.
· Economically, thinner ply is preferable, but needs strengthening to prevent curved steps.· It still needs to be strengthened.· At the same time, you will need to strengthen your hair so that you can have it straightened successfully.· As in Boston, this underlined the extent to which students' prior academic preparation needed to be strengthened.· International investment agreements need to strengthen governments' ability to stand up to corporations.· Pat Choate and I will fight for the reforms that are needed to strengthen our great nation.· It was all she needed to strengthen what he had told her - that Maria Luisa was not in his heart.· He said that it needed strengthening in the northern province.
· Liverpool's interest is believed to be in either Barton or central defender Scales as Graeme Souness seeks to strengthen his defence.· The White House seeks to strengthen the case for its faith-based initiative.· At a time of large-scale privatization, one should be seeking to strengthen competition policy.· Last September, seeking to strengthen his growing congregation and acknowledge its existence in the community at large, Rev.
· The resulting humiliation should serve to strengthen your resolve.· If this difference is simply accepted, it will only serve to strengthen stereotypes.· But his insistence that she leave everything to him had only served to strengthen her determination to be independent.
WORD FAMILYnounstrengthadjectivestrongverbstrengthenadverbstrongly
1feeling/belief/relationship [intransitive, transitive] to become stronger or make something stronger OPP weaken: Our friendship has steadily strengthened over the years. Steve’s opposition only strengthened her resolve to go ahead.strengthen something’s ties/bonds/links etc The university hopes to strengthen its ties with the local community. The company plans to strengthen its hand (=make itself more powerful) in Europe by opening an office in Spain.2team/army etc [transitive] to make an organization, army etc more powerful, especially by increasing the number or quality of the people in it OPP weaken: The team has been strengthened by the arrival of two new players.3financial situation [intransitive, transitive] if the financial situation of a country or company strengthens or is strengthened, it improves or is made to improve OPP weaken: measures to strengthen the economy4money [intransitive, transitive] to increase in value, or to increase the value of money OPP weaken: The pound has strengthened against other currencies.5body/structure [transitive] to make something such as your body or a building stronger OPP weaken: Metal supports were added to strengthen the outer walls.6proof/reason [transitive] to help prove something: Fresh evidence has greatly strengthened the case against him.7wind/current [intransitive] to increase in force: The wind had strengthened during the night.COLLOCATIONSnounsstrengthen somebody's position· They have strengthened their position by their performance in the recent local elections.strengthen somebody's hand (=make them more powerful)· The controversy has strengthened the hand of her critics.strengthen somebody's resolve (=make them more determined)· Other people's doubts only strengthened my resolve to start my own business.strengthen ties/bonds/links· He wants to strengthen ties with the West.strengthen a relationship· Having counselling is a very positive step which could strengthen your relationship.strengthen the role of somebody/something· A presidential decree strengthened the role of the Security Council.