reinforce

English

Alternative forms

• re-enforce, reenforce

Etymology

re- +‎ inforce

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˌɹiː.ɪnˈfɔːs/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˌɹi.ɪnˈfɔɹs/

  • Audio (US)

    (file)

• (General Australian) IPA^(key): /ˌɹiː.ɪnˈfoːs/
• Rhymes: -ɔː(ɹ)s
• Homophone: reenforce

Verb

reinforce (third-person singular simple present reinforces, present participle reinforcing, simple past and past participle reinforced)

2. (transitive) To strengthen, especially by addition or augmentation.

   He reinforced the handle with a metal rod and a bit of tape.

   • 1611, Iohn Speed [i.e., John Speed], “Harold the Second of that Name, the Sonne of Earle Goodwine, and Thirtie Eight Monarch of the Englishmen, ”, in The History of Great Britaine under the Conquests of yͤ Romans, Saxons, Danes and Normans. , London: William Hall and John Beale, for John Sudbury and George Humble, , →OCLC, book VIII ( ), paragraph 38, page 407, column 1:

     [T]hey [the English] valiantly, and vvith the ſlaughter of many, put backe the enemy: vvhich vvas ſo farre from daunting the Normans, that by it they vvere more vvhetted to re-enforce themſelues vpon them: […]

3. (transitive) To emphasize or review.

   The right homework will reinforce and complement the lesson!

   • 2021 February 24, Greg Morse, “Great Heck: a tragic chain of events”, in RAIL, number 925, page 42:

     The accident was also one of several since Clapham [...] that demonstrated the role of breakable windows in the death toll. RSSB research would later confirm and reinforce the need for laminated glass to protect passengers and increase survivability.

4. (transitive) To encourage (a behavior or idea) through repeated stimulus.

   Advertising for fast food can reinforce unhealthy dietary tendencies.

Synonyms

• (strengthen): strengthen, augment, fortify, buttress, bolster, line
• (emphasize): emphasize, review, repeat
• (encourage): encourage, reward, instruct, teach, learn

Translations

Anagrams

• confrerie