vt. & vi.巩固 make or become stronger

　～ the city wall　加固城墙
　～ cooperation　加强合作
　～ determination to leave　加强离开的决心
　～ discipline　加强纪律
　～ legislation　加强立法
　～ national defence　加强国防
　～ the Party unity　加强党的团结
　～ physical capabilities　增强体力
　～ the weak links　加强薄弱环节

　The wind strengthened during the night.　夜里风刮得更大了。
　His back strengthened with exercise.　经过锻炼，他变得腰背结实。
　The soldiers strengthened their defenses.　士兵们加固了他们的防御工事。
　On this basis we strengthen our discipline.　在这个基础上，我们加强了纪律。
　We must ceaselessly strengthen the fighting capacity of our army.　我们必须加强我军的战斗力。
　Your words strengthened my courage.　你的话增强了我的勇气。
　Their opposition only strengthened her resolve not to give in.　他们的反对却增强了她坚持下去的决心。
　We must strengthen the weak link.　我们要加强薄弱环节。
　The bridge must be strengthened.　这座桥必须加固。
　Such tendencies were enormously strengthened and accelerated by the social pressure.　社会压力使这种倾向性大大加剧并发展得越来越快。

 ♣ strengthen, reinforce
　这组词的共同意思是“加强，巩固”。其区别是：strengthen含义最广，指增强人的体力、意志力，还可指加强结构、影响等具体或抽象的事物；reinforce指使用增添支持或加固物的方法使原有效力、抵抗力、说服力或耐力较弱的东西得到强化。