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December 19, 2021 Word of the Day

reinforce /ˌriːjənˈfoɚs/ verb
reinforce
/ˌriːjənˈfoɚs/
verb

reinforces; reinforced; reinforcing

Riverbank reinforced with sandbags, for protection against floods
Riverbank reinforced with sandbags, for protection against floods
Definition of REINFORCE

[+ object]

1 : to strengthen (a group of people) with new supplies or more people

  • The captain sent out another squad to reinforce the troops.

  • Our camp is reinforced with supplies flown in by helicopter.

2 : to strengthen (something, such as clothing or a building) by adding more material for support

  • She reinforced the elbows of the jacket. [=she sewed more material onto the elbows of the jacket]

  • The soldiers reinforced [=strengthened] the barricades with sandbags.

  • The levees will need to be reinforced.

3 : to encourage or give support to (an idea, behavior, feeling, etc.)

  • The bad weather forecast only reinforces our decision to leave early tomorrow.

  • Some critics say that the movie reinforces negative stereotypes about the military.

  • We do our best to reinforce good conduct in the classroom.

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