verb
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES
strengthen a bond
▪ Sharing experiences strengthens bonds with friends.
strengthen sb’s position (=give someone a bigger advantage)
▪ People said that he used the conflict to strengthen his own position.
strengthen/build up your muscles (=make them stronger)
▪ If you strengthen the muscles in your back you are less likely to have back problems.
strengthened...resolve
▪ Recent events strengthened her resolve to find out the truth.
COLLOCATIONS FROM CORPUS
■ ADVERB
also
▪ Cambrian Coast line services were also strengthened.
▪ The banks are also strengthening their links with university researchers.
▪ The epidemiological critique has also strengthened.
▪ It will cleanse, condition and also strengthen your hair.
▪ The foreground is also strengthened with the same sweeping strokes.
considerably
▪ The customer base was considerably strengthened and a variety of new products launched.
▪ If this could be accomplished, the teaching of the master would not only prevail, they would be considerably strengthened.
▪ Once crowned, his position had divine sanction, was regarded by the church as sacrosanct, and so was considerably strengthened.
▪ In a short period of rapid theoretical development the emergent core of regional planning principles and practices strengthened considerably.
further
▪ This will further strengthen the company and ensure that it is well set up to face the next decade with confidence.
▪ The radical right's anxieties had been further strengthened by the effects of the Bolshevik revolution of 1917.
▪ Patrick has given orders for it to be strengthened further, at Edward's expense.
▪ The Faculty's commitment to research has recently been strengthened further by new appointments to seven Chairs.
▪ The Länder had considerable financial independence and their position in the Bundesrat further strengthened their powers.
▪ New signings David James and Paul Stewart have further strengthened a strong squad that has been rejuvenated in the last year.
▪ There are already strong business links which will be further strengthened.
greatly
▪ Nuclear nervousness predates Chernobyl; but what happened there greatly strengthened it.
▪ Remember, professionally speaking, there is here the exciting potential for greatly strengthening the teaching aspect of the library media program.
▪ We make it impossible to use, when in fact that voice might greatly strengthen our writing.
▪ His own position has been greatly strengthened and the election has been a personal triumph for him.
▪ These new committees have greatly strengthened the House so far as controlling the Executive is concerned.
▪ But Asquith's refusal greatly strengthened the Unionist position. as it left Lloyd George wholly dependent on his allies.
▪ This move has greatly strengthened the regulatory force of accounting standards.
thus
▪ The first section focuses on changing counterproductive patterns of communication between parents and children, thus strengthening family relationships.
■ NOUN
ability
▪ International investment agreements need to strengthen governments' ability to stand up to corporations.
▪ In retrospect, I realize that this strengthened my ability to become an effective leader.
argument
▪ The coveted contract helps strengthen arguments proposing Tuxedo as a defacto standard.
▪ The new surge of complaints could strengthen the argument that Britain needs to frame more acceptable noise legislation.
balance
▪ The balance of the proceeds will be used to strengthen the balance sheet.
bond
▪ He still believed that lovemaking was a sign and a strengthening of the sacramental bond between two people.
case
▪ Contextual and generic considerations strengthen this case.
▪ The White House seeks to strengthen the case for its faith-based initiative.
▪ Galileo and Kepler certainly strengthened the case in favour of the Copernican theory.
▪ He believes that ScotRail's 9 percent increase in revenue over the past year has strengthened his case for a buy-out.
▪ Fundholding strengthens the case for pharmacists working in health centres.
▪ This strengthens the case for powers to be granted to the United Nations to deal with such conflicts.
▪ Their absence strengthened the case against Lorton.
▪ Labour's acceptance of the market strengthens the increasingly powerful case for government intervening selectively.
commitment
▪ The federal government also has strengthened its commitment to early childhood programs.
▪ Ministers were influenced by three factors in their decision to strengthen commitment to the games.
community
▪ By the same token we must strengthen our communities and our sense of community.
▪ The Catholic Church is actively promoting the celebrations as a way to strengthen family and community ties and distract kids from gangs.
▪ Community organizing indirectly produces positive health impacts, through strengthening social networks, community participation, psychological empowerment, and community competence.
▪ In particular, the new government announced policies to strengthen community control of development.
control
▪ There had been speculation that Mr Mugabe would be challenged at the congress, but he strengthened his control over the party.
▪ In particular, the new government announced policies to strengthen community control of development.
economy
▪ But now a strengthening California economy, spearheaded by a boom in Silicon Valley, has sent prices modestly upward.
effort
▪ Part of the reason is the government's effort to strengthen the security forces.
▪ Omar Hassan Ahmad al-Bashir, was interpreted as an effort to strengthen the executive and to broaden the government's representation.
▪ Despite recent efforts to strengthen it, modernization theory has few academic supporters today.
▪ This effort has been strengthened by Police input into driver training schools operated by both major Lothian based bus companies.
family
▪ We're trying our best to strengthen the family and make men more conscious of women's rights.
▪ The Catholic Church is actively promoting the celebrations as a way to strengthen family and community ties and distract kids from gangs.
▪ Even gifts made to individuals are as a rule intended to strengthen family links.
▪ The first section focuses on changing counterproductive patterns of communication between parents and children, thus strengthening family relationships.
▪ Here, the strengthening of family values and citizenship go hand in hand.
▪ Every public official is dedicated to strengthening the family.
▪ This should, if anything, strengthen the family and encourage childbearing.
▪ Beyond attracting talented workers, workplace-based educa-tional programs for dads may help support the organizational mission by strengthening families.
forces
▪ Part of the reason is the government's effort to strengthen the security forces.
▪ Concessions strengthened the forces arrayed against it; reaction guaranteed renewed revolutionary protest.
government
▪ There are other ways too of strengthening the hand of governments.
▪ He followed his re-election with a Cabinet reshuffle designed to strengthen support within the government for his market-oriented economic reforms.
hand
▪ This exercise is also designed to strengthen your hands and arms but is more advanced than the last one.
▪ Up to a point, it is bound to strengthen the hand of reformers.
▪ But if it were granted it would significantly strengthen the conservationists' hand politically.
▪ My connection to a politically active national organization had strengthened my hand immeasurably.
▪ This weakened the Section's influence at a crucial time and correspondingly strengthened the hand of the Treasury.
▪ Others strengthened weak hands by molding clay.
▪ Campbell believed he could strengthen his hand by making an example of a council member in order to demonstrate where power lay.
▪ Patten promises to strengthen hand of pollution agency.
hold
▪ Despite its many inadequacies, it gives us some picture of Sussex life as the Normans strengthened their hold.
law
▪ In particular, they wanted to strengthen the law against badger digging.
▪ We will strengthen equality before the law and equality of opportunity for the majority of the population - women.
▪ It asked for their support in getting the law changed, and the guidelines strengthened by law.
▪ That involves strengthening laws, and enforcing them-hard in states cursed by corruption.
▪ The aim of the 1911 Act was to strengthen the law against spying.
link
▪ Even gifts made to individuals are as a rule intended to strengthen family links.
▪ The banks are also strengthening their links with university researchers.
▪ Worse still, our elected representatives, far from strengthening their links with voters, actually become less accountable to them.
▪ Active steps were also taken to strengthen links with local trade unions.
▪ The Reception was a great success, and strengthened still further the link between the School and the Company.
links
▪ Even gifts made to individuals are as a rule intended to strengthen family links.
▪ The banks are also strengthening their links with university researchers.
▪ Worse still, our elected representatives, far from strengthening their links with voters, actually become less accountable to them.
▪ Active steps were also taken to strengthen links with local trade unions.
market
▪ The directive is designed to ease labour market restrictions and strengthen the single market.
muscle
▪ The good news is that you can strengthen pelvic floor muscles through exercises.
▪ For example, football players should focus strengthening lower extremity muscles.
▪ This week she has devised the Oblique Crunch, to strengthen abdominal muscles.
▪ The group strengthened like a muscle.
▪ He joined in exercise classes to stretch and strengthen his muscles, and consequently became increasingly disabled.
▪ This situation will respond to exercises directed at strengthening the muscles.
▪ They will be able to advise you and may recommend exercises to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles or other treatment.
▪ Treatment often begins with simple Kegel exercises designed to strengthen pelvic muscles.
policy
▪ Will your new policy mean a strengthening of relations with the United States?
▪ In particular, the new government announced policies to strengthen community control of development.
position
▪ His own position has been greatly strengthened and the election has been a personal triumph for him.
▪ With the acquisition of Normandy from its Angevin rulers in 1204, Philip's position was strengthened.
power
▪ This particular proposal was not carried further, but the ensuing legislation did strengthen the powers for making agreements.
▪ Are government institutions strong enough to withstand a strengthened executive power?
▪ A series of Acts followed which strengthened the powers of magistrates.
▪ We intend to strengthen our confiscatory powers still further.
▪ The Länder had considerable financial independence and their position in the Bundesrat further strengthened their powers.
▪ This strengthens the case for powers to be granted to the United Nations to deal with such conflicts.
▪ His new wife was Beatrice of Burgundy, and the marriage was part of the complex Second Plan to strengthen imperial power.
▪ Jana's work is based on the belief that exploring creative expression is one way of finding and strengthening our inner power.
presence
▪ Mr Bulder's appointment is another key strategic move by Verio to strengthen its global presence.
relationship
▪ However, the level of conversation that really deepens and strengthens a relationship goes deeper than facts, ideas and opinions.
▪ On the contrary, it will strengthen the relationship.
▪ Nobody should be forced to be dependent on others, but strengthening people's relationships with the state is no alternative.
▪ Legalization also appears to have strengthened relationships between amnesty recipients and their relatives living abroad.
▪ The program's goal is to encourage and strengthen supplier relationships and improve communication by defining customer - supplier expectations.
▪ The first section focuses on changing counterproductive patterns of communication between parents and children, thus strengthening family relationships.
▪ Create Daily Rituals for Connection How can you strengthen your relationship on a daily basis?
▪ They are powerful ways to strengthen your marital relationship, keeping it rich, rewarding, and fun.
resolve
▪ It shows them up for what they really are, and only strengthens my resolve.
▪ Undoubtedly Margaret helped strengthen her resolve.
▪ She felt her anger grow colder, not hot, strengthening her resolve.
▪ The resulting humiliation should serve to strengthen your resolve.
▪ He clenched his fists at his sides to strengthen his resolve.
▪ In fact, the courage shown by their martyred brothers and sisters had only strengthened their resolve to persevere.
▪ Their move away from video, while strengthening a resolve with the fans, has been strongly criticised within business circles.
▪ Her defiance also seemed to strengthen Roy's resolve to put up with the treatment and get well.
role
▪ Each group alters the leadership roles to strengthen the task-oriented role at the expense of the maintenance role.
▪ The event is crucial in strengthening the role of the Commonwealth Judo Association.
▪ The report emphasises the need to strengthen the roles of primary care and of acute local hospitals.
▪ Dublin-based director Brian Merriman has re-written the famous old show, strengthening some roles and re-shaping others to suit modern tastes.
squad
▪ Lawrence could strengthen his squad for a final promotion push.
▪ New signings David James and Paul Stewart have further strengthened a strong squad that has been rejuvenated in the last year.
▪ Chapman strengthened his squad by buying Charlie Jones from Nottingham Forest.
system
▪ However, his own plans rely on strengthening the central system.
▪ The close relationship of the Metro East center to the other regional centers which strengthens the statewide support system. 5.
▪ Aromatherapy, in common with other natural therapies, aims to strengthen the immune system.
▪ The greatest challenge is strengthening judicial systems, which in some countries have long been susceptible to bribery or political pressure.
▪ This will help to strengthen the capital budgeting system and should produce more satisfactory projects.
▪ Another key issue for the fund is to define the balance between supplying new commodities and strengthening health systems.
▪ The Auld review will also contain a series of recommendations aimed at strengthening the jury system.
team
▪ Mr Marshall argued that with a strengthened management team, Railtrack intended to repay passengers' patience.
▪ His partnership strengthened the Balbirnie team in shareholding terms, broadening its equity base.
▪ But he lost out on the First Division title because he was reluctant to strengthen the team.
▪ Then he was drafted into Laura's studio where his technical expertise was critical in strengthening the developing team.
▪ To meet the challenge we have strengthened our management team to provide the foundation for further soundly based growth.
▪ Leadership training programmes are being set up to strengthen team building and the working skills that go with it.
▪ His milling design skills were soon recognised by, then responsible for engineering, who recruited to strengthen his team.
tie
▪ A wide variety of valuable lessons is learned at such times when the pupils strengthen their ties with the School Community.
▪ The Catholic Church is actively promoting the celebrations as a way to strengthen family and community ties and distract kids from gangs.
▪ Only in a prosperous and well-governed Britain can we strengthen the ties of our community.
▪ They strengthen the ties between students and potential employers.
▪ Both sides agreed to strengthen political ties with regular consultations at foreign minister level.
▪ When all goes well during this time, a gradual strengthening of ties between parent and infant occurs.
▪ The Pittsburgh-based Westinghouse is sharply reducing its longstanding role as a military contractor in order to strengthen ties to the entertainment industry.
▪ Forbes also is strengthening his ties to Republicans in Congress, even as he continues to play the outsider.
■ VERB
aim
▪ Aromatherapy, in common with other natural therapies, aims to strengthen the immune system.
▪ The Auld review will also contain a series of recommendations aimed at strengthening the jury system.
design
▪ Incentive systems should be designed to promote and strengthen the social purposes and values of the organisation.
▪ First, some of the economic functions of government are designed to strengthen and facilitate the operation of the market system.
▪ Treatment often begins with simple Kegel exercises designed to strengthen pelvic muscles.
help
▪ Some can also help to strengthen thin and weak hair whilst others help hair look fuller and healthier.
▪ Undoubtedly Margaret helped strengthen her resolve.
▪ It will also help strengthen nails and moisturise cuticles.
▪ Recruited to the board by Hooker, Bok said he had tried to help him strengthen the university.
▪ The exercises will help protect and strengthen her back in the future.
▪ Skill Standards Another way in which employer organizations can help strengthen preparation for work is through the development of skill standards.
▪ The third exercise, leg lifts, is to help strengthen your back.
▪ This will help to strengthen the capital budgeting system and should produce more satisfactory projects.
need
▪ Economically, thinner ply is preferable, but needs strengthening to prevent curved steps.
▪ It still needs to be strengthened.
▪ At the same time, you will need to strengthen your hair so that you can have it straightened successfully.
▪ As in Boston, this underlined the extent to which students' prior academic preparation needed to be strengthened.
▪ International investment agreements need to strengthen governments' ability to stand up to corporations.
▪ Pat Choate and I will fight for the reforms that are needed to strengthen our great nation.
▪ It was all she needed to strengthen what he had told her - that Maria Luisa was not in his heart.
▪ He said that it needed strengthening in the northern province.
seek
▪ Liverpool's interest is believed to be in either Barton or central defender Scales as Graeme Souness seeks to strengthen his defence.
▪ The White House seeks to strengthen the case for its faith-based initiative.
▪ At a time of large-scale privatization, one should be seeking to strengthen competition policy.
▪ Last September, seeking to strengthen his growing congregation and acknowledge its existence in the community at large, Rev.
serve
▪ The resulting humiliation should serve to strengthen your resolve.
▪ If this difference is simply accepted, it will only serve to strengthen stereotypes.
▪ But his insistence that she leave everything to him had only served to strengthen her determination to be independent.
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
▪ A poor harvest in 1842, and the imminence of winter, strengthened their determination.
▪ a set of exercises to strengthen the leg muscles
▪ Ali's testimony seems to have strengthened the case for the prosecution.
▪ I've started swimming to strengthen my upper body.
▪ The dollar has steadily strengthened against the yen in recent weeks.
▪ The President's first priority was to strengthen the economy.
▪ The quarrel only served to strengthen my resolve to start out on my own.
▪ The ship's decks will have to be strengthened to carry the extra weight.
▪ The walls were strengthened with steel rods.
▪ We're looking for ways to strengthen our sales team.
▪ Woolley felt certain that he had made an important discovery and his conviction was strengthened as more evidence came to light.
EXAMPLES FROM CORPUS
▪ And conceivably the rugged traits which permit of survival in this contest are passed on to strengthen the generations that follow.
▪ Heinz suggested that laws and constitutions of countries should be strengthened to make international declarations against torture into enforceable law.
▪ It shows them up for what they really are, and only strengthens my resolve.
▪ Recruited to the board by Hooker, Bok said he had tried to help him strengthen the university.
▪ Should we buy euros in an attempt to strengthen what is an insecure currency?
▪ Spiritual healing aims to correct these deep-seated imbalances by strengthening the flow of the life-force and removing any negative forces or imbalances.
▪ The first section focuses on changing counterproductive patterns of communication between parents and children, thus strengthening family relationships.