reinforce

[ ree-in-fawrs, -fohrs ]

verb (used with object)

, re·in·forced, re·in·forc·ing.

1. to strengthen with some added piece, support, or material:

   to reinforce a wall.

2. to strengthen (a military force) with additional personnel, ships, or aircraft:

   to reinforce a garrison.

3. to strengthen; make more forcible or effective:

   to reinforce efforts.

4. to augment; increase:

   to reinforce a supply.

5. Psychology. to strengthen the probability of (a response to a given stimulus) by giving or withholding a reward.

noun

1. something that reinforces.
2. a metal band on the rear part of the bore of a gun, where the explosion occurs.

reinforce

/ ˌriːɪnˈfɔːs /

verb

1. to give added strength or support to
2. to give added emphasis to; stress, support, or increase

   his rudeness reinforced my determination

3. to give added support to (a military force) by providing more men, supplies, etc
4. psychol to reward an action or response of (a human or animal) so that it becomes more likely to occur again

Derived Forms

• ˌreinˈforcement, noun

Other Words From

• rein·forcer noun
• self-rein·forcing adjective
• unre·in·forced adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of reinforce¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; re- + inforce, alteration of enforce

Word History and Origins

Origin of reinforce¹

C17: from obsolete renforce , from French renforcer ; see re- + inforce enforce

Example Sentences

The numbers reinforce another article in the Post, in which cops confessed to “turning a blind eye” to minor crimes.

From The Daily Beast

If anything, officer training and in-field policing methodologies reinforce those beliefs.

From The Daily Beast

No precautions have been taken to reinforce the ceilings, which could collapse onto the statues.

From The Daily Beast

But there are dozens of new gadgets that reinforce the idea that knowledge is power.

From The Daily Beast

We need to reinforce the message that decision-making, the power of choices, is also important.

From The Daily Beast

So the first question has been whether to reinforce Gaba Tepe from Helles or vice versa.

From Project Gutenberg

In 1807, however, he was called up to reinforce the Grand Army in time to take part in the decisive battle at Friedland.

From Project Gutenberg

With Lannes and Mortier sent to reinforce him, it was still more difficult to show patience.

From Project Gutenberg

Napoleon's failure to reinforce Massna left the situation before Lisbon precarious.

From Project Gutenberg

And would you like to reinforce one battalion, in case of attack, by another battalion?

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• add to
• bolster
• boost
• build up
• buttress
• emphasize
• enlarge
• fortify
• increase
• shore up
• stress
• support
• underline