strengthened

USAGE SUMMARY

"strengthened" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it when discussing something that has become more powerful or secure. For example, "The implementation of new safety protocols has strengthened the security of the building."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Ministers promise to provide for "appropriate oversight arrangements and safeguards", but there is no immediate detail on how the complex web of intelligence and surveillance commissioners and parliamentary oversight might be strengthened.

The Guardian

It has, the thinktank says, strengthened housing demand but housing supply has not risen to meet demand.

The Guardian - Business

All that will have been strengthened a little tonight.

The Guardian - Opinion

The immediate reaction in the markets is positive -- Dutch sovereign debt strengthened slightly.

The Guardian - Business

The broadcaster's hand has been strengthened since the last three-year deal was signed as the previously-impregnable Cowell has had disappointing ratings for his new shows, Red or Black and cookery show Food Glorious Food.

The Guardian

The government's press service said on Thursday that Medvedev's account had been hacked and that the account's security had since been strengthened.

The Guardian

The latter was the factor that caused havoc last year when sterling strengthened and twentysomethings in Australia and Russia found their dresses became 20% dearer.

The Guardian - Business

"It was in some ways a subtle threat to me … but it strengthened my resolve in regards to this issues," she told the hearing.

The Guardian

I'm confident I leave the prime ministership having strengthened our relationship with our partners, all of them.

The Guardian

Both men were on the Sri Lanka team bus that was shot at during the Lahore terrorist attacks in 2009, an experience Farbrace admits strengthened their bond.

The Guardian - Sport

His tendency to fall out with colleagues simultaneously weakened his party and strengthened the opposition.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "strengthened" when you want to indicate that something has become more robust, resilient, or effective. Consider the specific context to choose the most appropriate synonym, such as "reinforced" for added support or "fortified" for enhanced security.

Common error

Avoid repeatedly using "strengthened" within a short piece of writing if other words more precisely capture the intended meaning. Vary your vocabulary with synonyms like "reinforced", "fortified", or "enhanced" to maintain reader engagement and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The word "strengthened" primarily functions as a past tense and past participle of the verb strengthen. It's utilized to indicate that something has been made more robust, resilient, or effective. Ludwig AI confirms its proper and usable state in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "strengthened" functions as the past tense and past participle of the verb strengthen, used to describe something that has become more robust or effective. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is a correctly used word. It appears most frequently in news and media, business, and scientific contexts. When using "strengthened", consider the specific context to ensure it accurately reflects the intended meaning and consider also using a synonym like "reinforced", "fortified", or "enhanced".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reinforced

Emphasizes the act of adding support to make something stronger.

bolstered

Highlights supporting or encouraging something to increase its effectiveness.

fortified

Suggests making something secure against attack or weakening.

solidified

Focuses on making something firm, stable, or resistant to change.

enhanced

Implies improving the quality or desirability of something.

consolidated

Indicates making something stronger or more secure by combining elements.

improved

Focuses on the betterment of a condition or state.

augmented

Indicates adding to something to increase its size or value.

intensified

Suggests increasing the degree or amount of something.

upgraded

Implies improving something by replacing or adding components.

FAQs

How is "strengthened" typically used in a sentence?

The word "strengthened" is used as the past tense and past participle of the verb strengthen, indicating that something has become stronger or more effective. For example, "The new policy "strengthened" consumer protections."

What words can I use instead of "strengthened"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "reinforced", "fortified", "enhanced", "improved" or "bolstered".

Is "strengthened" the same as "reinforced"?

While both words imply making something stronger, "strengthened" is a general term, whereas "reinforced" specifically suggests adding support to something to make it stronger.

When is it appropriate to use "strengthened" over "improved"?

"Strengthened" is best used when referring to the act of making something more resilient or powerful, while "improved" is used when referring to making something better in quality or condition. "The new laws "strengthened" security" vs "The company "improved" its customer service".