Meaning & use
reinforce
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Meanings
verbtransitive
To make a structure stronger by adding material or support to it.
Grammar: Takes an object: reinforce the wall; common with concrete, steel, or beams.
Patterns
- reinforce a wall
- reinforce the roof
- reinforce something with something
Workers reinforced the old bridge with steel beams.
We reinforced the fence before the winter storms.
The helmet shell is reinforced with a layer of hard plastic.
verbtransitive
To make an idea, belief, argument, or habit stronger or more convincing.
Grammar: Takes an object: reinforce an idea; the object is usually abstract, unlike a physical wall.
Patterns
- reinforce a belief
- reinforce an argument
- reinforce good habits
The study reinforces the view that sleep matters for memory.
Her apology reinforced my trust in her.
Daily practice reinforces good habits over time.
verbtransitivetechnical
In psychology and training, to encourage a behavior by giving a reward or positive result after it.
Grammar: Takes an object naming a behavior: reinforce positive behavior; used in learning and parenting contexts.
Patterns
- reinforce behavior
- reinforce positive behavior
- reinforce a response
Giving praise right away can reinforce careful work.
The trainer reinforced the dog's response with a treat.
Ignoring outbursts helps avoid reinforcing them.
Word forms
| third person singular | reinforces |
|---|---|
| past tense | reinforced |
| past participle | reinforced |
| -ing form | reinforcing |
Common combinations
- reinforce concrete
- Steel bars are used to reinforce concrete in tall buildings.
- strongly reinforce
- The new data strongly reinforce the committee's conclusion.
- reinforce the message
- The teacher repeated examples to reinforce the message.
- reinforce with steel
- The doorway was reinforced with steel after the flood.
Synonyms and how they differ
- strengthen
- The broadest everyday word; reinforce adds the idea of extra support added from outside.
- bolster
- Suggests propping something up so it holds firm, and is common with confidence or arguments.
- support
- Weaker and more general; reinforce implies making something already present stronger, not just holding it.
Opposites
Word family
- reinforcement noun
- The act of reinforcing, extra support, or a reward in learning.
- reinforced adjective
- Made stronger, as in reinforced concrete.
Commonly confused: reinforce or rein?
reinforce vs rein
Rein is a strap for guiding a horse or a means of control; reinforce means to strengthen and has an added force behind it.
Practice
Good teachers ___ careful checking by praising students who review their work.
Choose one answer.
Giving praise after careful checking strengthens that habit, which is exactly what reinforce means. Weaken is the opposite, conform means follow rules, and evoke means bring to mind, so none of those fit.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “reinforce”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.