VocabularyBasePractice words

Meaning & use

stronger

adjective·Everyday

Last updated

UK/ˈstrɒŋɡə/
US/ˈstrɔːŋɡər/

“stronger” is a form of “strong”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.

Meanings

  1. adjectivecomparable

    having more physical power than someone or something else.

    Grammar: Comparative of 'strong'; often followed by 'than': 'stronger than me'.

    Patterns

    • stronger than someone
    • get stronger
    • much stronger

    After months of training, he became stronger than his brother.

    This rope is stronger than the old one, so it won't break.

    You need to eat well to get stronger.

  2. adjectivecomparable

    more powerful in influence, effect, or taste than before or than something else.

    Grammar: Used for abstract things like arguments, feelings, or flavors; often with 'than'.

    Patterns

    • stronger evidence
    • a stronger flavor
    • stronger than before

    The new evidence is stronger than what they had before.

    This coffee is stronger than the one I had yesterday.

    Her desire to win grew stronger every day.

Word forms

positivestrong
superlativestrongest

Common combinations

stronger than
She is stronger than she looks.
get stronger
Your muscles will get stronger with exercise.
much stronger
The wind is much stronger today.
stronger evidence
The police need stronger evidence to charge him.

Synonyms and how they differ

more powerful
More powerful is used for influence or control; stronger is more general and can refer to physical force.
tougher
Tougher means able to endure difficulty; stronger often means having more physical power.
mightier
Mightier is literary and means having great power; stronger is the everyday word.

Opposites

weaker

Word family

strong adjective
Having great physical power or influence.
strongly adverb
In a way that shows strong feeling or force.
strength noun
The quality of being physically or mentally strong.
strengthen verb
To make something stronger.

Commonly confused: stronger or strong?

stronger vs strong

Strong is the base adjective; stronger is the comparative used when comparing two things.

Practice

After lifting weights for a year, he is much ______ than before.

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “stronger”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Your sentence stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.

Explore more words