English pronunciation · Words Starting with S

Strengthen Pronunciation

Strengthen is pronounced STRENG-thuhn, IPA /ˈstrɛŋθən/.

STRENG-thuhn

US /ˈstrɛŋθən/  ·  UK /ˈstrɛŋθən/

Syllables: STRENG · thuhn (2 syllables, stress on syllable 1)

verb: To make something stronger, or to become stronger.

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Strengthen in a Sentence

  • The exercises strengthen the lower back.
  • Rules were strengthened after the inquiry.
  • Support for the plan strengthened over the summer.

Common Mispronunciations of Strengthen

Not STRENG-then

The th is the hissed one of thin, and the ending is a weak thuhn with no full e. Voicing it turns the ending into the word then.

Not STREN-thuhn

The ng is a single back-of-the-mouth sound that must survive before the th. Dropping it loses the strength inside the word.

Tip: Say strength, then add uhn. The cluster ngth is one of the hardest in English and worth slowing down for.

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