strengthen
/ˈstreŋθən/ verbDefinition
› [T] to make something more effective or powerful: A discussion paper aiming to strengthen the EU's competition regime has been circulated amongst commissioners. Research and development expenses amounted to €76m in the first six months, reflecting the company's desire to further strengthen its technological leadership. Recent efforts have been made to strengthen the role of outside directors.strengthen your position/performance/control Mobile operators need to strengthen their control over revenue and profit.strengthen laws/regulations/mechanisms The Oil Conservation Division is in the process of trying to strengthen regulations over oil waste pits.
› [I or T] FINANCE if the financial position of a company, economy, etc. strengthens, or if something strengthens it, it improves: Proceeds of the sale will be used to pay off existing debt in order to strengthen the balance sheet. Year-on-year GDP growth continued to strengthen in the first quarter.be strengthened (by sth) Their market position has been strengthened by the purchase of their main US rival.
› [I or T] MONEY if a currency strengthens, or if something strengthens it, it increases in value compared to other currencies: The euro strengthened against the dollar. a strengthening dollar/euro/yen, etc.
strengthen sb's hand › to improve someone's chances of success: A deal with JFK airport would strengthen our hand in winning more overseas contracts.
(Definition of strengthen verb from the Cambridge Business English Dictionary
© Cambridge University Press)
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