reinforce

present singular third person reinforces · participle present reinforcing · participle past reinforced · past reinforced · alternative re-enforce · alternative reenforce

1. transitiveTo strengthen, especially by addition or augmentation.

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

   1 more example

   [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: […]

   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 ([The Danes] […]), paragraph 38, page 407, column 1

   Synonyms: strengthen, augment, fortify, buttress, bolster, line

2. transitiveTo emphasize or review.

   The right homework will reinforce and complement the lesson!

   1 more example

   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.

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

   Synonyms: emphasize, review, repeat

3. transitiveTo encourage (a behavior or idea) through repeated stimulus.

   Advertising for fast food can reinforce unhealthy dietary tendencies.

   1 more example

   Mr. Schlossberg’s rant angered activists for immigrant rights, who said it reinforced stereotypes that Spanish speakers are not citizens. And they worried that it perpetuated fear within immigrant communities of ICE’s aggressive tactics to deport those who are undocumented.

   2018 May 22, Liz Robbins, Maya Salam, “‘I Am Not Racist’: Lawyer Issues Apology One Week After Rant”, in The New York Times, archived from the original on 11 Apr 2023

   Synonyms: encourage, reward, instruct, teach, learn