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Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary strength·en
\\ˈstreŋ(k)-thən, ˈstren(t)-\\ verb
(strength·ened ; strength·en·ing \\ˈstreŋ(k)th-niŋ, ˈstren(t)th-; ˈstreŋ(k)-thə-, ˈstren(t)-\\) DATE 15th century transitive verb: to make stronger intransitive verb: to become stronger
• strength·en·er \\ˈstreŋ(k)th-nər, ˈstren(t)th-; ˈstreŋ(k)-thə-, ˈstren(t)-\\ noun Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary-牛津双解-OALD7 strengthenstrength·en / 5streNWn / verb to become stronger; to make sb / sth stronger 加强；增强；巩固:
▪ [V]
Her position in the party has strengthened in recent weeks. 最近几个星期以来,她在党内的地位有所增强。
Yesterday the pound strengthened against the dollar. 昨天,英镑对美元的汇率上升了。
The wind had strengthened overnight. 夜里,风更大了。
▪ [VN]
Repairs are necessary to strengthen the bridge. 这座桥需要加固。
The exercises are designed to strengthen your stomach muscles. 这些活动目的在于增强你的腹部肌肉。
The move is clearly intended to strengthen the President's position as head of state. 这一举措显然意在加强总统作为国家元首的地位。
The new manager has strengthened the side by bringing in several younger players. 新经理通过引进几名年轻队员使队伍的实力得到加强。
Their attitude only strengthened his resolve to fight on. 他们采取的态度反而使他坚定了继续战斗的决心。
The new evidence will strengthen their case. 新的证据将使他们的论据更为充分。
OPP weaken Oxford Collocations Dictionary for Students of English Oxford Collocations dictionary for students of Englishstrengthen
verb ADV. considerably, enormously, greatly, immeasurably, significantly, substantially The success in the election strengthened the party's position considerably. | further This merger will further strengthen the company and ensure its continued success. | merely This temporary setback merely strengthened her resolve. | gradually VERB + STRENGTHEN help (to), serve to | be designed to These exercises are designed to strengthen your stomach muscles. PREP. against The euro has strengthened against the dollar. PHRASES an attempt/effort to strengthen sth, be aimed at strengthening sth The new law is aimed at strengthening protective measures for workers. | measures to strengthen sth strengthen verb ⇨ strengthen Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged strength·en
\-thən\ verb
( strengthened ; strengthened ; strengthening \-th(ə)niŋ\ ; strengthens) Etymology: Middle English strengthnen, from strengthe strength + -nen -en transitive verb1.
a. : to give moral support to : encourage , hearten
< means of strengthening the brethren and converting the pagans — Episcopal Churchnews >
b. : to give added weight or incentive to : corroborate , enhance
< the probability of the ascription of this passage to Democritus is strengthened by the latest research — Benjamin Farrington >2.
a. : to give added strength or vigor to
< strengthen a defensive position >
< coarse foods strengthen the jaws — Morris Fishbein >
< although union membership has dropped off in some places, union organization has been … strengthened in other places — American Guide Series: North Carolina >
b. : to increase in power or amount : improve in effectiveness : augment , intensify
< its offices were regularly employed to strengthen the personal machine of the governor — D.W.McConnell >
< nothing … would so strengthen the hand of democracy as the gift of literacy — Jerome Ellison >
< our program of aid to scientific education … was enlarged and strengthened — Report: Monsanto Chem. Co. >
< working together helps to strengthen family life — Mary S. Switzer >
< the course might be strengthened, further, by … more effective integration of movies, visual aids, and other motivational devices — S.B.Zuckerman >
c. : to heighten the artistic effect of : make more expressive
< the design is strengthened by two slightly projecting corner piers — American Guide Series: Minnesota >intransitive verb1. : to become stronger : increase in power or intensity
< the light strengthened minute by minute, and then the day came — John Connell >
< intellectual faculties strengthened, and men … gained facility in moulding their Latin — H.O.Taylor >2. : to go higher : rise
< the carrier's shares strengthened on the declaration of a 75-cent dividend and the announcement that the stock would go on a … quarterly basis — J.G.Forrest >Synonyms:
invigorate , fortify , energize , reinforce : strengthen applies to any increasing of force, vigor, power, intensity, or effectiveness
< strengthening the shelf with an additional brace >
< be silent if you can say nothing to strengthen me in my resolution — Israel Zangwill >
< strengthened his entire staff with specialists wherever they were needed — Buick Magazine >
< a new science strengthened by proof and generalization — H.J.J.Winter >
invigorate applies to whatever endows with vigor, vitality, animation, or energy
< fresh air and sunshine will help to invigorate the body and improve nutrition — Morris Fishbein >
< gave their support to invigorated nationalist movements — Oscar Handlin >
fortify suggests strengthening often against attack of any sort, use calculated to damage, or condition conducive to impairment or enervation
< fortified by many recruits from the demobilized armies of Europe — C.E.Black & E.C.Helmreich >
< fortified her argument with quotations — H.O.Taylor >
< fortified by 68 tables and 75 figures, as well as by the testimony of witnesses — D.D.McKean >
energize may suggest a rousing into activity along with a strengthening and heartening to sustain that activity
< the imagining of beautiful settings can be more sensitizing, energizing, and exhilarating than the imagining or reporting of ugly settings — C.A.Smart >
< when a man and woman are successfully in love, their whole activity is energized and victorious — Walter Lippmann >
reinforce applies to strengthening by augmenting with new forces or force, power, or effectiveness
< fresh troops reinforcing the defenders >
< concrete reinforced with steel >
< the simple country fare provided by the home farm was reinforced by a regular supply of more exotic dainties — Osbert Lancaster > < when we consider the codes of responsibility that exist in the various professions, we find generally that they do not usually come into being by means of legislation, although they may frequently be confirmed or reinforced by statutes — Lister Hill >
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