What does stronger mean?
Stronger is the comparative form of the adjective strong. It means having more strength, power, intensity, durability, effectiveness, or conviction than something else, with the exact emphasis determined by context. A person may be stronger in a physical sense, an argument may be stronger because its reasoning is more convincing, and an economy may be stronger because it is expanding or performing well. The word can also describe something that is better protected, more stable, or better able to withstand pressure. Because it forms part of the ordinary comparison system for strong, it is suitable across formal writing, journalism, business, education, and everyday conversation. In careful prose, a more specific alternative may sometimes be preferable: more powerful can emphasize authority, more intense can emphasize degree, and more convincing can emphasize persuasive force. Nevertheless, stronger remains the clearest general comparison and is widely understood in British and American English.
adjectiveComparative of strong: having greater strength, power, intensity, or degree than something else.
- Having greater strength, power, or physical force than something else.
- Having a greater degree of intensity, conviction, influence, or support.
- Having greater durability, stability, or effectiveness.
"The team seemed stronger after a decisive victory."
"The new bridge is stronger and more resilient than the old one."
"She made a stronger argument for changing the policy."
English can turn strength into a comparison: what is stronger is not merely more forceful, but more powerful, intense, durable, or convincing in context.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does stronger come from?
Stronger derives from strong, an Old English adjective meaning powerful, forceful, and notable. The modern form developed through Middle English and was already established as the comparative in that language. Strong belongs to the Germanic family of languages and has related forms in other Germanic languages. Strength, strengthen, and strongly preserve the same inherited root in English, although their meanings have developed in different directions.
Related word forms
How stronger is actually used
Stronger is the standard comparative form of strong and is used in both formal and informal English. Its meaning depends on context: it can describe physical power, emotional intensity, economic performance, argumentative force, or the comparative strength of an abstract position.