strength·en

[strengk-thuhn, streng-, stren-]
verb (used with object)
1.
to make stronger; give strength to.
2.
Phonetics. to change (a speech sound) to an articulation requiring more effort, as from fricative to stop or nongeminate to geminate.
verb (used without object)
3.
to gain strength; grow stronger.

Origin:
1250–1300; Middle English strengthnen. See strength, -en1

strength·en·er, noun
strength·en·ing·ly, adverb
o·ver·strength·en, verb
pre·strength·en, verb (used with object)
re·strength·en, verb
un·strength·ened, adjective
un·strength·en·ing, adjective


1. buttress, reinforce, fortify, support.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source Link To strengthen
00:10
Strengthen is always a great word to know.
So is uvular. Does it mean:
to change the pronunciation of (a stop) to an affricate, esp. by releasing (the stop) slowly.
articulated with the back of the tongue held close to or touching the uvula
Collins
World English Dictionary
strengthen (ˈstrɛŋθən) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
vb
to make or become stronger
 
'strengthener
 
n

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Example sentences
If the government hoped to strengthen the peso or improve financial transparency, it has accomplished the opposite.
They found, however, that the placebo response does not strengthen the effect of an active drug.
In addition, major efforts have been made to strengthen the teaching and research infrastructure in the country.
Nor has there been much sign of rejoicing in those countries whose currencies have tended to strengthen.
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