" strengthened "

1: as in hard, tough;

•  Synonyms : 

•  hard,

•  inured,

•  sturdy,

•  tough,

•  toughened,

•  masculine,

•  virile,

•  energetic,

•  energized,

•  invigorated,

•  lusty,

•  red-blooded,

•  robust,

•  vigorous,

•  vitalized,

•  beefy,

•  burly,

•  husky,

•  strapping,

•  hale,

•  healthy,

•  hearty,

•  sound,

•  able-bodied,

•  athletic,

•  fit,

•  trim,

•  forceful,

•  forcible,

•  mighty,

•  potent,

•  powerful,

•  puissant,

•  brawny,

•  muscular,

•  rugged,

•  sinewy,

•  stalwart,

•  stout,

•  strong

•  Antonyms : 

•  delicate,

•  feeble,

•  frail,

•  weak,

•  weakling,

•  wimpy,

•  disabled,

•  incapacitated,

•  paralyzed,

•  impotent,

•  powerless,

•  puny,

•  slight,

•  small,

•  unathletic,

•  unfit,

•  unhealthy

1: to increase the ability of (as a muscle) to exert physical force;

  * e.g., " ... lifting weights every day will eventually strengthen your muscles "

•  Synonyms : 

•  beefed (up),

•  fortified,

•  hardened,

•  toughened

•  Antonyms : 

•  debilitated,

•  enervated,

•  enfeebled,

•  weakened

2: to make able to withstand physical hardship, strain, or exposure;

  * e.g., " ... required weeks of physical therapy to strengthen his arm enough to pitch for the team again "

•  Synonyms : 

•  fortified,

•  hardened,

•  indurated,

•  inured,

•  seasoned,

•  steeled,

•  toughened

•  Antonyms : 

•  softened

3: to make markedly greater in measure or degree;

  * e.g., " ... encouraged the boarding school students to strengthen their ties with the community by doing public service "

•  Synonyms : 

•  accentuated,

•  amped (up),

•  amplified,

•  beefed (up),

•  boosted,

•  consolidated,

•  deepened,

•  enhanced,

•  heightened,

•  intensified,

•  magnified,

•  redoubled,

•  stepped up

•  Antonyms : 

•  abated,

•  moderated

1: to increase the ability of (as a muscle) to exert physical force;

  * e.g., " ... lifting weights every day will eventually strengthen your muscles "

•  Synonyms : 

•  beef (up),

•  fortify,

•  harden,

•  toughen

•  Antonyms : 

•  debilitate,

•  enervate,

•  enfeeble,

•  weaken

2: to make able to withstand physical hardship, strain, or exposure;

  * e.g., " ... required weeks of physical therapy to strengthen his arm enough to pitch for the team again "

•  Synonyms : 

•  fortify,

•  harden,

•  indurate,

•  inure,

•  season,

•  steel,

•  toughen

•  Antonyms : 

•  soften

3: to make markedly greater in measure or degree;

  * e.g., " ... encouraged the boarding school students to strengthen their ties with the community by doing public service "

•  Synonyms : 

•  accentuate,

•  amp (up),

•  amplify,

•  beef (up),

•  boost,

•  consolidate,

•  deepen,

•  enhance,

•  heighten,

•  intensify,

•  magnify,

•  redouble,

•  step up

•  Antonyms : 

•  abate,

•  moderate