Words / B2

ree-in-FORS/ˌriːɪnˈfɔːs/

To reinforce is to make an idea, feeling, behaviour, or structure stronger: reinforce a point / a stereotype / a wall. Strengthen is a close general synonym; reinforce is common in psychology, teaching, and engineering. It often means adding support to something already there, not creating it from nothing; reinforcement is the noun (positive reinforcement).

Meaning

To make a feeling, idea, or structure stronger.

Examples

• “Examples reinforce the meaning of a word.”
• “The second experiment reinforced the original conclusion.”
• “Steel bars reinforce the concrete columns.”

Good to know

reinforce an idea / a structure. Noun: reinforcement. Close: strengthen.

Near in meaning

strengthen

New