What does strengthen mean?
Strengthen is a common English verb meaning to make something stronger, more secure, or more effective. It is used with both physical and abstract nouns: people strengthen muscles or resolve, organizations strengthen safeguards, and evidence can strengthen an argument. The word also works without an object, as when a relationship or situation becomes more robust. Unlike simply intensifying something, strengthen often implies adding support, protection, capacity, or credibility. It is useful in precise writing because it names the process of making a thing more able to withstand pressure or perform its role better. In every register, the phrase can suggest purposeful action rather than accidental change. The related noun strength covers the underlying quality or capacity, while strengthen describes the act of increasing it. Its simple formation from strength plus -en makes the connection memorable, and its broad range of applications keeps it central to discussion of health, security, institutions, and persuasive communication.
verbTo make something stronger, more secure, or more effective. It can also mean to become stronger or to increase in intensity.
- To make something physically stronger, more durable, or better able to withstand pressure.
- To increase the support, credibility, resolve, intensity, or effectiveness of something.
- To become stronger or more intense, especially in relation to feelings, relationships, circumstances, or opposing forces.
"The new evidence helped strengthen the case for changing the policy."
"Regular exercise can strengthen the muscles and improve overall health."
"The committee strengthened its recommendation after hearing the additional testimony."
Add -en to strength, and a noun becomes an action: the simple ending that turns capacity into change.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does strengthen come from?
Strengthen was formed in Middle English by adding the suffix -en to strength, following the productive English pattern of creating verbs from nouns. The related words strong and strength continue an Old English Germanic ancestry, while strongly is a later formation based on strong. Across these forms, the shared sense has always centered on force, firmness, and the ability to resist or endure difficulty.
Related word forms
How strengthen is actually used
The verb is neutral in register and commonly occurs in both formal and informal contexts. When used transitively, it often suggests deliberate action that adds support, protection, capacity, or credibility. It may also be used intransitively, especially in contexts involving relationships, feelings, or circumstances.
Easily confused with strengthen
Strength is the quality or capacity of being strong, whereas strengthen is the verb describing the act of making something stronger.