Word forms: 3rd person singular presenttense reinforces, present participle reinforcing, past tense, past participle reinforced
1. verb
If something reinforces a feeling, situation, or process, it makes it stronger or more intense.
A stronger European Parliament would, they fear, only reinforce the power of thelarger countries. [VERB noun]
This sense of privilege tends to be reinforced by the outside world. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: consolidate, support, increase, further More Synonyms of reinforce
2. verb
If something reinforces an idea or point of view, it provides more evidence or support for it.
The delegation hopes to reinforce the idea that human rights are not purely internalmatters. [VERB noun]
3. verb
To reinforce an object means to make it stronger or harder.
Eventually, they had to reinforce the walls with exterior beams. [VERB noun + with]
Synonyms: support, strengthen, fortify, toughen More Synonyms of reinforce
reinforcedadjective
Its windows were made of reinforced glass.
4. verb
To reinforce an army or a police force means to make it stronger by increasing its size or providing it with more weapons. To reinforce a position or place means to make it stronger by sending more soldiers or weapons.
Both sides have been reinforcing their positions after yesterday's fierce fighting. [VERB noun]
Troops and police have been reinforced in the city. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: increase, extend, add to, strengthen More Synonyms of reinforce
reinforce in British English
(ˌriːɪnˈfɔːs)
verb(transitive)
1.
to give added strength or support to
2.
to give added emphasis to; stress, support, or increase
his rudeness reinforced my determination
3.
to give added support to (a military force) by providing more men, supplies, etc
4. psychology
to reward an action or response of (a human or animal) so that it becomes more likely to occur again
Derived forms
reinforcement (ˌreinˈforcement)
noun
Word origin
C17: from obsolete renforce, from French renforcer; see re- + inforceenforce
reinforce in American English
(ˌriɪnˈfɔrs)
verb transitiveWord forms: ˌreinˈforced or ˌreinˈforcing
1.
to strengthen (a military, naval, or air force) with additional troops, ships, planes, etc.
2.
to increase the number or amount of
3.
to strengthen or make stronger, as by patching, propping, adding new material, etc.
4.
to make stronger or more compelling
to reinforce one's arguments
5. Psychology
to increase the probability of (a response to a stimulus) by giving a reward or ending a painful stimulus
Derived forms
reinforcer (ˌreinˈforcer)
noun
Word origin
re- + inforce, var. of enforce
Examples of 'reinforce' in a sentence
reinforce
This way of dividing the past reinforces ideas of who a people are and what they stand for.
Smithsonian Mag (2017)
The writer would contend that neither simply presented an idea and then reinforced it.
Pressley, Michael & McCormick, Christine Advanced Educational Psychology For Educators, Researchers and Policymakers, (1995)
It was hard to decipher through reinforced glass but finally all became clear.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
The news reinforces fears that years of expanding waistlines are condemning youngsters to decades of ill health.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
These physical symptoms are terrifying and only reinforce the feeling of danger.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The study reinforces the idea that music lies at the centre of our mental foundations.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
It is important that you acknowledge your successes and reinforce your positive feelings.
Mansfield, Patricia Why Am I Afraid to be Assertive? (1994)
The main idea is to reinforce behaviors that are valued.
Pressley, Michael & McCormick, Christine Advanced Educational Psychology For Educators, Researchers and Policymakers, (1995)
He is reinforcing bad feelings you have about yourself and you deserve so much better.
The Sun (2008)
Photos of skeletal stars and models reinforce the idea that a beautiful body has to be all skin and bone.
The Sun (2007)
And here he was reinforcing it again just before kick-off.
The Sun (2013)
His face came attached to a grizzled beard; a finger jabbed at the reinforced glass.
Alexander Masters STUART: A Life Backwards (2005)
In fact, you are reinforcing the fear and the waking behaviour.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
If things do not improve after your initial chat, speak to her again and reinforce your point.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The country seemed to be wallowing in collective guilt feelings, reinforced by a growing culture of dependency.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Her recent honeymoon in East Africa has reinforced her support for the trading structure.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
The Shard is made of 1,100 panes of reinforced glass.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The players were now sure in their minds about how they were to approach each game, a clarity reinforced again by the upswing in results.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
It employs steel, reinforced concrete and glass rather than brick, stone and timber.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Losing his grandad, the one reliable male figure in his life, has reinforced that fear.
The Sun (2015)
With only 15 seconds to take cover, he stepped under a reinforced support beam in the ceiling.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
But when the bathroom floor was being reinforced to support the new bath, the fitter discovered the floorboards weren't attached to the front wall.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
In other languages
reinforce
British English: reinforce VERB
If something reinforces a feeling, situation, or process, it makes it stronger or more intense.
I hope this will reinforce our determination to deal with this kind of threat.
American English: reinforce
Brazilian Portuguese: reforçar
Chinese: 加强
European Spanish: reforzar
French: renforcer
German: verstärken
Italian: rinforzare
Japanese: 強める
Korean: 강화하다
European Portuguese: reforçar
Latin American Spanish: reforzar
All related terms of 'reinforce'
reinforce behaviour
People's or animals' behaviour is the way that they behave . You can refer to a typical and repeated way of behaving as a behaviour .
reinforce expectations
Your expectations are your strong hopes or beliefs that something will happen or that you will get something that you want .
reinforce prejudice
Prejudice is an unreasonable dislike of a particular group of people or things, or a preference for one group of people or things over another.
reinforce the belief
Belief is a feeling of certainty that something exists, is true , or is good.
reinforce the message
The message that someone is trying to communicate , for example in a book or play, is the idea or point that they are trying to communicate.
reinforce the notion
A notion is an idea or belief about something.
reinforce the perception
Your perception of something is the way that you think about it or the impression you have of it.
Chinese translation of 'reinforce'
reinforce
(riːɪnˈfɔːs)
vt
(= strengthen) 加固 (jiāgù)
(= back up)[idea, statement, prejudice]加强(強) (jiāqiáng)
1 (verb)
Definition
to give added emphasis to (an idea or feeling)
This sense of privilege tends to be reinforced by the outside world.
Synonyms
consolidate
The Prime Minister hopes to consolidate existing trade ties between the two countries.
support
He supported the hardworking people.
increase
further
Education needn't only be about furthering your career.
encourage
Their task is to encourage private investment in Russia.
promote
His country will do everything possible to promote peace.
boost
They need to take action to boost sales.
sustain
foster
They are keen to foster trading links with the West.
heighten
The move has heightened tension in the state.
magnify
The telescope magnifies images over 11 times.
amplify
The music was amplified with microphones.
augment
Opposites
undermine
,
weaken
,
contradict
2 (verb)
Definition
to make physically stronger or harder
They had to reinforce the walls with exterior beams.
Synonyms
support
the thick wooden posts that supported the ceiling
strengthen
The builders will have to strengthen the existing joists with additional timber.
fortify
British soldiers working to fortify an airbase
toughen
laminated and toughened glass
stress
He stressed the need for new measures.
prop
Plaster ceilings are propped with scaffolding.
supplement
emphasize
I should emphasize that nothing has been finally decided as yet.
underline
The report underlined his concern that standards were at risk.
harden
Their action can only serve to harden the attitude of landowners.
bolster
a number of measures intended to bolster morale
stiffen
proposals to stiffen the penalties for tax evasion
shore up
They may find it hard to shore up their defences.
buttress
His tough line is buttressed by a democratic mandate.
3 (verb)
Definition
to give added support to (a military force) by providing more men or equipment
Troops and police have been reinforced.
Synonyms
increase
The company has increased the price of its cars.
extend
They have added three new products to extend their range.
add to
strengthen
Community leaders want to strengthen controls at external frontiers.
supplement
I suggest supplementing your diet with vitamins E and A.
augment
She was searching for a way to augment her income.
Additional synonyms
in the sense of amplify
Definition
to increase the size, extent, or effect of
The music was amplified with microphones.
Synonyms
expand,
raise,
extend,
boost,
stretch,
strengthen,
increase,
widen,
intensify,
heighten,
deepen,
enlarge,
lengthen,
magnify,
augment,
dilate
in the sense of augment
Definition
to make or become greater in number or strength
She was searching for a way to augment her income.
Synonyms
increase,
grow,
raise,
extend,
boost,
expand,
add to,
build up,
strengthen,
enhance,
reinforce,
swell,
intensify,
heighten,
enlarge,
multiply,
inflate,
magnify,
amplify,
dilate
in the sense of bolster
Definition
to support or strengthen
a number of measures intended to bolster morale
Synonyms
support,
help,
aid,
maintain,
boost,
strengthen,
assist,
prop,
reinforce,
hold up,
cushion,
brace,
shore up,
augment,
buttress,
buoy up,
give a leg up to (informal)
Synonyms of 'reinforce'
reinforce
Explore 'reinforce' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of boost
Definition
to cause to rise
They need to take action to boost sales.
Synonyms
increase,
develop,
raise,
expand,
add to,
build up,
heighten,
enlarge,
inflate,
magnify,
amplify,
augment,
jack up
in the sense of buttress
Definition
to support or sustain
His tough line is buttressed by a democratic mandate.
Synonyms
support,
sustain,
strengthen,
shore,
prop,
reinforce,
back up,
brace,
uphold,
bolster,
prop up,
shore up,
augment
in the sense of emphasize
Definition
to give emphasis or prominence to
I should emphasize that nothing has been finally decided as yet.
Synonyms
highlight,
stress,
insist,
underline,
draw attention to,
flag up,
dwell on,
underscore,
weight,
play up,
make a point of,
foreground,
give priority to,
press home,
give prominence to,
prioritize
in the sense of encourage
Definition
to stimulate (something or someone) by approval or help
Their task is to encourage private investment in Russia.
Synonyms
promote,
back,
help,
support,
increase,
further,
aid,
forward,
advance,
favour,
boost,
strengthen,
foster,
advocate,
stimulate,
endorse,
commend,
succour
in the sense of extend
Definition
to broaden the meaning or scope of
They have added three new products to extend their range.
Synonyms
widen,
increase,
develop,
expand,
spread,
add to,
enhance,
supplement,
enlarge,
broaden,
diversify,
amplify,
augment
in the sense of fortify
Definition
to make (a place) defensible, such as by building walls
British soldiers working to fortify an airbase
Synonyms
protect,
defend,
secure,
strengthen,
reinforce,
support,
brace,
garrison,
shore up,
augment,
buttress,
make stronger,
embattle
in the sense of foster
Definition
to promote the growth or development of
They are keen to foster trading links with the West.
Synonyms
develop,
support,
further,
encourage,
feed,
promote,
stimulate,
uphold,
nurture,
cultivate,
foment
in the sense of further
Definition
to assist the progress of (something)
Education needn't only be about furthering your career.
Synonyms
promote,
help,
develop,
aid,
forward,
champion,
push,
encourage,
speed,
advance,
work for,
foster,
contribute to,
assist,
plug (informal),
facilitate,
pave the way for,
hasten,
fast-track,
patronize,
expedite,
succour,
lend support to
in the sense of harden
Definition
to make or become stronger or firmer
Their action can only serve to harden the attitude of landowners.
Synonyms
reinforce,
strengthen,
fortify,
steel,
nerve,
brace,
toughen,
buttress,
gird,
indurate
in the sense of heighten
Definition
to make or become higher or more intense
The move has heightened tension in the state.
Synonyms
intensify,
increase,
add to,
improve,
strengthen,
enhance,
sharpen,
aggravate,
magnify,
amplify,
augment
Additional synonyms
in the sense of magnify
Definition
to make something look bigger than it really is, for instance by using a lens or microscope
The telescope magnifies images over 11 times.
Synonyms
enlarge,
increase,
boost,
expand,
intensify,
blow up (informal),
heighten,
amplify,
augment,
dilate
in the sense of promote
Definition
to work for
His country will do everything possible to promote peace.
Synonyms
help,
back,
support,
further,
develop,
aid,
forward,
champion,
encourage,
advance,
work for,
urge,
boost,
recommend,
sponsor,
foster,
contribute to,
assist,
advocate,
stimulate,
endorse,
prescribe,
speak for,
nurture,
push for,
espouse,
popularize,
gee up
in the sense of prop
Definition
to sustain or support
Plaster ceilings are propped with scaffolding.
Synonyms
support,
maintain,
sustain,
shore,
hold up,
brace,
uphold,
bolster,
truss,
buttress
in the sense of shore up
Definition
to prop up (an unsteady building or wall) with a strong support
They may find it hard to shore up their defences.
Synonyms
support,
strengthen,
reinforce,
prop,
brace,
underpin,
augment,
buttress
in the sense of stiffen
Definition
to make or become stiff or stiffer
proposals to stiffen the penalties for tax evasion
Synonyms
strengthen,
reinforce,
harden,
toughen
in the sense of strengthen
Definition
to become stronger or make (something) stronger
The builders will have to strengthen the existing joists with additional timber.
Synonyms
support,
brace,
steel,
reinforce,
consolidate,
harden,
bolster,
augment,
buttress
in the sense of strengthen
Definition
to become stronger or make (something) stronger
Community leaders want to strengthen controls at external frontiers.
Synonyms
step up,
reinforce,
increase,
heighten,
escalate,
crank up (informal),
scale up
in the sense of stress
Definition
to give emphasis to (a point or subject)
He stressed the need for new measures.
Synonyms
emphasize,
highlight,
underline,
repeat,
draw attention to,
dwell on,
underscore,
accentuate,
point up,
rub in,
flag up,
impress on someone,
harp on,
press home,
bring to the fore,
belabour
in the sense of supplement
Definition
to provide an addition to (something), esp. in order to make up for an inadequacy
I suggest supplementing your diet with vitamins E and A.
Synonyms
add to,
reinforce,
complement,
augment,
extend,
top up,
fill out
in the sense of toughen
Definition
to make or become tough or tougher
laminated and toughened glass
Synonyms
harden,
season,
strengthen,
reinforce,
temper,
fortify,
thicken,
stiffen,
coarsen,
rigidify
Additional synonyms
in the sense of underline
Definition
to emphasize
The report underlined his concern that standards were at risk.