strengthen
verb OPAL W
/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/ |
- [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.
- [transitive] strengthen somebody/something to become physically stronger
- The exercises are designed to strengthen your stomach muscles.
- Repairs are necessary to strengthen the bridge.
- [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.
- [intransitive] (of a natural force) to become stronger
- The wind had strengthened overnight.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- considerably
- enormously
- greatly
- …
- help (to)
- serve to
- be designed to
- …
- against
- an attempt to strengthen something
- an effort to strengthen something
- be aimed at strengthening something
- …
- [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.