reinforce
gb/ɹˌiɪnfˈɔɹs/ us/ɹˌiɪnfˈɔɹs/
B1
English
~ 3000
Senses
0 senses
Verb
B1
action
1
Make something stronger or more effective
To make something stronger or work better.
Usage pattern:
to reinforce [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'reinforce' with 'repeat', but 'reinforce' means to make stronger, not just to say again.
Synonyms
strengthen (More general; does not always imply adding extra support but can mean increasing power or intensity in any way.)
|
bolster (Often used in a figurative sense, especially for confidence, arguments, or feelings.)
Antonyms
weaken (Means to make something less strong or less effective.)
Collocations
reinforce the message
|reinforce the idea
|reinforce behavior
|reinforce learning
|reinforce a structure
Themes
construction
|communication
|education
|military
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The teacher used pictures to reinforce her lesson.
- Steel bars are used to reinforce concrete walls.
- Positive feedback can reinforce good behavior in children.
- The coach's speech was meant to reinforce the team's confidence.
Learner examples
- The teacher used a story to reinforce the lesson.
- We add metal to reinforce the bridge.
- Good words from a friend reinforce my hope.
- He gave examples to reinforce his idea.
Verb
technical
B2
action
2
Send extra people or equipment for support
To send more people or things to help a group be stronger.
Usage pattern:
to reinforce [troops/unit/team]
Synonyms
support (General term for helping; not always about adding more people or material.)
|
augment (More formal; implies adding to increase size or strength.)
Antonyms
withdraw (Means to remove forces instead of adding them.)
Collocations
reinforce the troops
|reinforce the defense
|reinforce the front line
Themes
military
|emergency
|teamwork
|politics
Examples
- The army sent more soldiers to reinforce the front line.
- Backup units were called in to reinforce the police presence.
- Extra firefighters were brought in to reinforce the local crew.
Learner examples
- They sent more soldiers to reinforce the army.
- More police came to reinforce the team.
- Extra workers came to reinforce the group.
Grammar
Dictionary form
reinforce
IPA
GB/ɹˌiɪnfˈɔɹs/
US/ɹˌiɪnfˈɔɹs/
Syllables & stress
re - in - force (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (in)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: reinforce
- 3rd Person Singular: reinforces
- Present Participle: reinforcing
- Past: reinforced
Word family
Forms
reinforces
verb
reinforcing
verb
reinforced
verb
Core family
reinforcement
noun B2
Related words
reinforcer
noun
Negative and opposite forms
unreinforced
adjective
Expressions
reinforce behavior
1/ɹˌiɪnfˈɔɹs bɪhˈeɪvjɚ/
fixed phrase
Encourage an action to continue
To make someone keep doing something by giving a reaction, like praise or reward.
Examples
- Praise can reinforce good behavior in children.
- Ignoring bad actions can sometimes fail to reinforce behavior you want.
reinforce learning
1/ɹˌiɪnfˈɔɹs lˈɚnɪŋ/
fixed phrase
Help knowledge become stronger
To help someone remember and understand something better by practicing or reviewing it.
Examples
- Homework is given to reinforce learning done in class.
- Games can be used to reinforce learning in young children.
reinforce the message
1/ɹˌiɪnfˈɔɹs ðə mˈɛsɪd͡ʒ/
fixed phrase
Make an idea clearer or stronger
To make sure an idea is understood and remembered by saying it in a strong way or repeating it.
Examples
- The CEO used charts to reinforce the message about cost-cutting.
- Teachers often use real-life examples to reinforce the message of their lessons.