(~s, ~ing, ~ed)
Frequency: The word is one of the 3000 most common words in English.
1.
If something ~s a person or group or if they ~ their position, they become more powerful and secure, or more likely to succeed.
...the new constitution, which ~s the government and enables it to balance and check the powers of parliament and president...
He hoped to ~ the position of the sciences in the leading universities.
VERB: V n, V n
2.
If something ~s a case or argument, it supports it by providing more reasons or evidence for it.
He does not seem to be familiar with research which might have ~ed his own arguments.
= reinforce
VERB: V n
3.
If a currency, economy, or industry ~s, or if something ~s it, it increases in value or becomes more successful.
The dollar ~ed against most other currencies...
If the Government wants to save the Pound it should start by ~ing the British economy.
? weaken
VERB: V, V n
4.
If a government ~s laws or measures or if they ~, they are made more severe.
I am also looking urgently at how we can ~ the law...
Community leaders want to ~ controls at external frontiers...
Because of the war, security procedures have ~ed.
VERB: V n, V n, V
5.
If something ~s you or ~s your resolve or character, it makes you more confident and determined.
Any experience can teach and ~ you, but particularly the more difficult ones...
This merely ~s our resolve to win the league...
? weaken
VERB: V n, V n
6.
If something ~s a relationship or link, or if a relationship or link ~s, it makes it closer and more likely to last for a long time.
His visit is intended to ~ ties between the two countries...
In a strange way, his affair caused our relationship to ~.
VERB: V n, V
7.
If something ~s an impression, feeling, or belief, or if it ~s, it becomes greater or affects more people.
His speech ~s the impression he is the main power in the organization...
Every day of sunshine ~s the feelings of optimism...
Amy’s own Republican sympathies ~ed as the days passed.
= deepen
VERB: V n, V n, V
8.
If something ~s your body or a part of your body, it makes it healthier, often in such a way that you can move or carry heavier things.
Cycling is good exercise. It ~s all the muscles of the body...
VERB: V n
9.
If something ~s an object or structure, it makes it able to be treated roughly or able to support heavy weights, without being damaged or destroyed.
The builders will have to ~ the existing joists with additional timber.
= reinforce
VERB: V n