reinforce
verb
re·in·force ˌrē-ən-ˈfȯrs 
variants or less commonly reenforce
reinforced also reenforced; reinforcing also reenforcing; reinforces also reenforces
transitive verb
1
: to strengthen by additional assistance, material, or support : make stronger or more pronounced
reinforce levees
reinforce the elbows of a jacket
reinforce ideas
2
: to strengthen or increase by fresh additions
reinforce our troops
were reinforcing their pitching staff
3
: to stimulate (a subject, such as an experimental animal) by reinforcement (see reinforcement sense 3)
also : to encourage (a response) by reinforcement
intransitive verb
: to seek or get reinforcements
reinforceable
ˌrē-ən-ˈfȯr-sə-bəl
adjective 
Synonyms
- back
- bolster
- buttress
- corroborate
- shore (up)
- substantiate
- support
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
The captain sent out another squad to reinforce the troops. Our camp is reinforced with supplies flown in by helicopter. The levees will need to be reinforced. The bad weather forecast only reinforces our decision to leave early tomorrow. Some critics say that the movie reinforces negative stereotypes about the military. We do our best to reinforce good conduct in the classroom. See More
Recent Examples on the Web Look no further than the Covid-19 pandemic to reinforce the need for constant reinvention. 
Dassault Systèmes, Forbes, 8 Aug. 2022 And then the trailers that Marvel released and other rumors connected to those properties seemed only to reinforce the plot leaks. Chris Smith, BGR, 29 July 2022 Porch railings supply an integral part of a home's exterior aesthetic, helping to reinforce a home's style. Sheryl Geerts, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 July 2022 The Miso Platform Clog launches today in three colors—white, brown, and a green plaid that serves to reinforce the shoe's intrinsic Clueless vibes (a moment that is eternal, if Tessa Thompson and Natalie Portman are any indication). Kerry Pieri, Harper's BAZAAR, 12 July 2022 Without altering underlying social relations, these technologies are likely to reinforce the trends of growing tech billionaire wealth and these billionaires' desires to close themselves off from the rest of society. Paris Marx, Wired, 5 July 2022 However, the lessons only serve to reinforce the rigid class structure. Clea Simon, BostonGlobe.com, 23 June 2022 The horror elements helped reinforce this as a YA show versus a show for younger children. Abbey White, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 June 2022 Although similar footage has been aired, the point of the new video seemed to be to reinforce that this was no small tussle but a major effort to stop the certification of an election. al, 9 June 2022 See More
Dassault Systèmes, Forbes, 8 Aug. 2022 And then the trailers that Marvel released and other rumors connected to those properties seemed only to reinforce the plot leaks. Chris Smith, BGR, 29 July 2022 Porch railings supply an integral part of a home's exterior aesthetic, helping to reinforce a home's style. Sheryl Geerts, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 July 2022 The Miso Platform Clog launches today in three colors—white, brown, and a green plaid that serves to reinforce the shoe's intrinsic Clueless vibes (a moment that is eternal, if Tessa Thompson and Natalie Portman are any indication). Kerry Pieri, Harper's BAZAAR, 12 July 2022 Without altering underlying social relations, these technologies are likely to reinforce the trends of growing tech billionaire wealth and these billionaires' desires to close themselves off from the rest of society. Paris Marx, Wired, 5 July 2022 However, the lessons only serve to reinforce the rigid class structure. Clea Simon, BostonGlobe.com, 23 June 2022 The horror elements helped reinforce this as a YA show versus a show for younger children. Abbey White, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 June 2022 Although similar footage has been aired, the point of the new video seemed to be to reinforce that this was no small tussle but a major effort to stop the certification of an election. al, 9 June 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
re- + inforce, alteration of enforce
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Kids Definition
reinforce
verb
re·in·force
ˌrē-ən-ˈfȯrs
reinforced; reinforcing
1
: to strengthen with new supplies or more people Another squad reinforced the troops.
2
: to strengthen by adding more material for support
The wall needs to be reinforced.
Medical Definition
reinforce
transitive verb
re·in·force ˌrē-ən-ˈfō(ə)rs, -ˈfȯ(ə)rs
reinforced; reinforcing
1
: to strengthen by additional material or support : make stronger
reinforced with vitamins
2
: to stimulate (as an experimental animal or a student) by reinforcement
also : to encourage (a response) by reinforcement
reinforce
verb
variants also reenforce
as in to bolster
to provide evidence or information for (as a claim or idea) letters of recommendation that reinforced the committee's opinion of the candidate Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- bolster
- confirm
- support
- verify
- buttress
- corroborate
- establish
- back
- substantiate
- affirm
- prove
- validate
- shore (up)
- avouch
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- undermine
- weaken
- undercut