<p><strong>Verb</strong></p><ul><li>(used with object) To make stronger; give strength to.</li><li>Synonyms: support, fortify, reinforce, buttress.</li><li>Phonetics: To change (a speech sound) to an articulation requiring more effort, as from fricative to stop or nongeminate to geminate.</li><li>(used without object) To gain strength; grow stronger.</li></ul>