Word
reinforce
Phoneticsre·in·force, stress on the third syllable
US/ˌɹiɪnˈfɔɹs/
UK/ɹˌiːɪnfˈɔːs/
Definitions
01to make physically stronger
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to make a structure or object stronger by adding more material to it.
v. to strengthen a physical object or structure by adding extra support or material. Transitive; requires a direct object.
“The workers had to reinforce the old bridge with steel beams before heavy trucks could cross.”
“Engineers decided to reinforce the concrete foundations after discovering that the soil was more unstable than the initial surveys had suggested.”
Synonyms
02to support an idea
B2 · Upper Intermediate Academic
v. to make an idea, belief, or feeling stronger.
v. to provide additional support for a concept, argument, or belief, making it more convincing or established.
“The latest news will only reinforce her opinion that the plan is a bad idea.”
“The professor presented several case studies to reinforce the theory that economic stability is directly linked to high literacy rates.”
Antonyms
03to encourage behavior
B2 · Upper Intermediate Academic
v. to encourage a specific habit or way of acting by rewarding it.
v. to strengthen a behavioral response by providing a stimulus or reward following the action.
“You can reinforce good behavior in a dog by giving it a small treat.”
“Positive feedback from managers can effectively reinforce a culture of collaboration and transparency within the workplace.”
Antonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “reinforce” in context.
Verb
01. mutually reinforce
“Economic growth and social stability are two factors that mutually reinforce each other.”
adv + verb
02. reinforce conclusion
“The latest data from the study serve to reinforce the conclusion that the treatment is effective.”
verb + noun
03. reinforce idea
“The teacher used a visual experiment to reinforce the idea of gravity for the students.”
verb + noun
04. reinforce importance
“The safety briefing was designed to reinforce the importance of wearing a helmet at all times.”
verb + noun
05. reinforce need
“Recent power outages reinforce the need for a more reliable energy infrastructure.”
verb + noun
06. reinforce notion
“The film's ending tends to reinforce the notion that good always triumphs over evil.”
verb + noun
07. reinforce view
“The witness's testimony helped to reinforce the view that the suspect was innocent.”
verb + noun
Real-World Examples
“It would allow the party to reclaim a state it lost in 2022 and reinforce its position in a region central to the president’s political power.” “But when similar decisions are repeated thousands of times across schools and other organizations, they can reinforce the unequal division of caregiving responsibilities that already exists within many families.” Etymology
From re- + inforce.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/reinforce