strengthen

Pronunciation: /ˈstɹɛŋ(k)θən/

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: B2 — Upper-Intermediate

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. verb make strong or stronger
  2. verb gain strength
  3. verb give a healthy elasticity to

Etymology

From rare Middle English strengthenen (14th c.), from earlier strengthen (12th c.), where -en is the infinitive ending. Probably the original form was reinterpreted as strength + -en around the time when the infinitive ending was being apocopated in late Middle English.

In classic literature

Synonyms

beef up, fortify

Semantic network

Broader (hypernyms)
change
Narrower (hyponyms)
vitalize, restrengthen, buttress, substantiate, undergird, batten
Opposite (antonyms)
weaken

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