reinforce
verb
re·in·force
ˌrē-ən-ˈfȯrs 
variants
or less commonly reenforce
reinforced also reenforced; reinforcing also reenforcing; reinforces also reenforces
1
: to strengthen by additional assistance, material, or support : make stronger or more pronounced
reinforce levees
reinforce the elbows of a jacket
reinforce ideas
2
: to strengthen or increase by fresh additions
reinforce our troops
were reinforcing their pitching staff
3
: to stimulate (a subject, such as an experimental animal) by reinforcement (see reinforcement sense 3)
also
: to encourage (a response) by reinforcement
: to seek or get reinforcements
Synonyms
Examples of reinforce in a Sentence
The captain sent out another squad to reinforce the troops.
Our camp is reinforced with supplies flown in by helicopter.
The levees will need to be reinforced.
The bad weather forecast only reinforces our decision to leave early tomorrow.
Some critics say that the movie reinforces negative stereotypes about the military.
We do our best to reinforce good conduct in the classroom.
Recent Examples on the Web
The decor theme of warm tones — reinforced by creamy white walls and maple floors — continues throughout the home’s open-plan living spaces.
—
Leslie Rivera, Robb Report, 22 Apr. 2024
At that meeting, Mr. Burns and other top national security officials sought to impress upon Mr. Johnson how rapidly Ukraine was running out of ammunition, and how dire the consequences would be if their air defenses were no longer reinforced by American weaponry.
—Catie Edmondson, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2024
These accounts of unhinged behavior reinforce the message that everybody had better be scared of this album.
—Ann Powers, NPR, 19 Apr. 2024
With Trump sidelined from the campaign trial for at least four days a week, the former president is expected to use the trial to reinforce his campaign messages and rail against the proceeding.
—Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 15 Apr. 2024
Light entering the crystal will refract through and partially reflect off each interface, producing overlapping beams that reinforce or weaken one another according to the light’s wavelength and direction.
—Susumu Noda, IEEE Spectrum, 14 Apr. 2024
With a target market centered on small business owners and real estate investors, Vlad’s aim is to extend the brand's recognition and demonstrate the firm’s extensive experience and specialized knowledge, thereby reinforcing its standing as a leader in the financial services sector.
—William Mullane, USA TODAY, 12 Apr. 2024
Organisms reinforce these shells with a type of calcium carbonate mineral called calcite.
—Evan Thomas Saitta, Discover Magazine, 12 Apr. 2024
By contrast, multiple court cases and investigations have only reinforced in Lithuania a carapace of official secrecy — and displays of loyalty to the United States by a vulnerable Baltic country fearful of an increasingly aggressive Russia.
—Andrew Higgins, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2024
Leslie Rivera, Robb Report, 22 Apr. 2024
At that meeting, Mr. Burns and other top national security officials sought to impress upon Mr. Johnson how rapidly Ukraine was running out of ammunition, and how dire the consequences would be if their air defenses were no longer reinforced by American weaponry.
—Catie Edmondson, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2024
These accounts of unhinged behavior reinforce the message that everybody had better be scared of this album.
—Ann Powers, NPR, 19 Apr. 2024
With Trump sidelined from the campaign trial for at least four days a week, the former president is expected to use the trial to reinforce his campaign messages and rail against the proceeding.
—Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 15 Apr. 2024
Light entering the crystal will refract through and partially reflect off each interface, producing overlapping beams that reinforce or weaken one another according to the light’s wavelength and direction.
—Susumu Noda, IEEE Spectrum, 14 Apr. 2024
With a target market centered on small business owners and real estate investors, Vlad’s aim is to extend the brand's recognition and demonstrate the firm’s extensive experience and specialized knowledge, thereby reinforcing its standing as a leader in the financial services sector.
—William Mullane, USA TODAY, 12 Apr. 2024
Organisms reinforce these shells with a type of calcium carbonate mineral called calcite.
—Evan Thomas Saitta, Discover Magazine, 12 Apr. 2024
By contrast, multiple court cases and investigations have only reinforced in Lithuania a carapace of official secrecy — and displays of loyalty to the United States by a vulnerable Baltic country fearful of an increasingly aggressive Russia.
—Andrew Higgins, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'reinforce.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near reinforce
Cite this Entry
“Reinforce.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reinforce. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
reinforce
verb
re·in·force
ˌrē-ən-ˈfō(ə)rs
-ˈfȯ(ə)rs
1
: to strengthen by additional assistance, material, or support
reinforce the elbows of a jacket
reinforce the argument with facts
2
: to strengthen or increase by fresh additions
were reinforcing their pitching staff
reinforce our troops
3
: to stimulate (a person or animal) with a reinforcer
also
: to increase the frequency of (a response) with a reinforcer
Medical Definition
reinforce
transitive verb
re·in·force
ˌrē-ən-ˈfō(ə)rs, -ˈfȯ(ə)rs
reinforced; reinforcing
1
: to strengthen by additional material or support : make stronger
reinforced with vitamins
2
: to stimulate (as an experimental animal or a student) by reinforcement
also
: to encourage (a response) by reinforcement
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share