strength
[noun]
Synonyms:
- might, brawn, courage, fortitude, muscle, robustness, stamina, sturdiness, toughness
- intensity, effectiveness, efficacy, force, potency, power, vigour
- advantage, asset, strong point

---

Antonyms: weakness
Contrasted words: feebleness
Related Words: brawn, sturdiness, toughness, healthiness, soundness

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

strength S2 W2 /streŋθ, strenθ/ noun
[Word Family: verb: strengthen; noun: strength; adverb: strongly; adjective: strong]
[Language: Old English; Origin: strengthu]

1. PHYSICAL [uncountable] the physical power and energy that makes someone strong Antonym : weakness
have/find the strength to do something
She didn’t even have the strength to stand up.
I’m trying to build up my strength.
Jo hit him with all her strength.
He never ceased to be amazed by her physical strength.

2. DETERMINATION [uncountable] the quality of being brave or determined in dealing with difficult or unpleasant situations
have/find the strength to do something
Jenny didn’t have the strength to end the relationship.
She had enormous strength of character (=strong ability to deal with difficult situations).
strength of mind/purpose
The sea was very cold and it required great strength of mind to get in.
I think you have to find an inner strength in order to feel good about yourself. ⇒ tower of strength at tower¹(3)

3. FEELING/BELIEF [uncountable] how strong a feeling, belief, or relationship is Synonym : depth
strength of
Governments cannot ignore the strength of public opinion.
We understand the strength of feeling against the proposal.

4. ORGANIZATION/COUNTRY ETC [uncountable] the political, military, or economic power of an organization, country, or system
strength of
the strength of the US economy
The socialists organized a show of strength (=when a country or organization shows how strong it is).

5. USEFUL QUALITY OR ABILITY [countable] a particular quality or ability that gives someone or something an advantage Antonym : weakness:
Her main strength is her critical thinking ability.
strength of
The great strength of our plan lies in its simplicity.
Be aware of your own strengths and weaknesses.

6. OBJECT [uncountable] how strong an object or structure is, especially its ability to last for a long time without breaking Antonym : weakness
strength of
a device for testing the strength of concrete structures

7. SUBSTANCE/MIXTURE [uncountable and countable] how strong a substance or mixture is:
Add water to dilute the solution to the required strength.
full-strength/half-strength/double-strength etc
Young plants can be fed with half-strength liquid fertilizer.

8. NUMBER OF PEOPLE [uncountable] the number of people in a team, army etc:
The Edinburgh team are now at full strength.
below strength
The police force is below strength at the moment (=there are fewer police than there should be).
in strength
Security forces were out in strength (=in large numbers) but did not intervene.

9. MONEY [uncountable] the value of a country’s money when compared to other countries’ money
strength of
the strength of the dollar on the international money markets

10. on the strength of something because of something:
I bought the book on the strength of your recommendation.

11. position of strength a position where you have an advantage over someone, especially in a discussion:
We must negotiate from a position of strength.

12. go from strength to strength to become more and more successful:
For several years, the business went from strength to strength.

13. NATURAL FORCE [uncountable] how strong a natural force is:
the strength of the sunlight

14. COLOUR/LIGHT/FLAVOUR/SMELL ETC [uncountable] how strong a colour, taste etc is

15. give me strength spoken used when you are annoyed or angry about something

16. not know your own strength to not realize how strong you are

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

strength
noun PREP. below/under ~ Injuries meant that the Dutch team was below strength for the final.
with ~ She pushed him away with unexpected strength.
PHRASES at full strength The orchestra was at full strength for the Mahler symphony.
be/get back to full strength I'm still not quite back to full strength after my illness.
every ounce of strength She summon | a feat of strength He used to entertain people with his feats of strength.
a pillar/tower of strength He was a tower of strength to his sisters when their father died.
a position of strength They are negotiating from a position of strength.
reserves of strength When she had twins, she discovered reserves of strength that she didn't know she had.
a show of strength 50,000 troops massed on the border in the biggest show of strength to date.
a source of strength Her childhood memories were a great source of strength when her mother was killed.
strength born of desperation/fear/panic, etc. With strength born of pure panic, she threw her attacker to the ground.
strength of character/purpose/will, strength of feeling, the strength of your position, a test/trial of strength Today's vote is being seen as a test of strength for the government. The dispute developed into a trial of strength between management and the union.
with all your strength She threw the rope with all her strength.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

strength
II. useful quality
ADJ. great | real
VERB + STRENGTH exploit, play to The team may not have the best players, but it plays to its strengths.
STRENGTH + VERB lie in sth Her great strength lies in her flexibility.
PHRASES strengths and weaknesses
I. how strong sb/sth is
ADJ. enormous, great, immense | high The material has exceptionally high strength for its weight.
greater, superior His superior physical strength won him the title.
growing | continuing the continuing strength of the pound
relative | surprising, unexpected | superhuman, supernatural | brute He got the door open with brute strength.
extra They are reinforced with steel for extra strength.
collective | emotional, inner | muscle, muscular, physical | economic, electoral, financial, industrial, military | numerical the relative numerical strengths of men and women in the group
police, union, etc. | bargaining | wind | alcoholic
VERB + STRENGTH have He had just enough strength to reach for the phone.
find, summon up I'm trying to summon up the strength to do some more work.
build up, gain, gather You need to try and build up your strength before the winter. The opinion that the president should stand down has gained considerable strength.
gain in, grow in, increase in | vary in These wines vary in strength between 11° and 15°.
lose | get back, recover, regain | give sb/sth, lend sb/sth Her love and support gave me strength. The metal reinforcement gives it the strength to resist the high winds.
sap The series of steep hills sapped the cyclists' strength.
conserve, save | draw (on), use She was able to draw on her immense inner strength.
put He put all his strength into reorganizing the department.
take It took all his strength to open the box.
test The Moroccan athlete ran a fast lap to test the strength of the other runners.
increase | reduce, undermine Her unwillingness to answer questions undermined the strength of her position.
STRENGTH + VERB grow, increase | decline, ebb (away), fail, falter, wane The country's economic strength is declining. Her strength was ebbing fast, so her children were called to her bedside.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

strength

physical strength
Some of the tasks required considerable physical strength.
great/enormous strength
Hercules was famous for his great strength.
superhuman strength (=much greater than ordinary strength)
In the movie, Walsh performs feats of superhuman strength.
superior strength (=greater than someone else's)
Using his superior strength, Rocky dragged the struggling Larsen another twenty yards back.
brute strength (=physical strength rather than intelligence or careful thinking)
There is more to wrestling than brute strength. Tactics are important too.
full strength
It takes time to get your full strength back after you have been ill.
have the strength to do something
He didn't even have the strength to sit up.
find the strength to do something
Mary found the strength to climb up onto the upturned boat.
use your strength
He used all his strength to heave the door shut.
gather/muster/summon your strength (=get enough strength to do something)
He sat for a couple of minutes, gathering his strength.
build up your strength (=make yourself stronger)
You need to build up your strength.
gain strength
After the operation, he spent several weeks relaxing and gaining strength.
great strength
She showed great strength in dealing with her problems.
inner strength
Geoff had an inner strength which got him through the tough times.
mental strength
He's a player who has the skill and the mental strength to win.
have the strength to do something
This proved that he has the strength to cope with such a high-powered job.
find the strength to do something
Paula had found the strength to escape from an abusive marriage.
gain/draw strength from somebody/something
He gained strength from being back with the people and things he loved.
show strength
The decision to continue shows incredible strength and courage.
strength of character (=strong ability to deal with difficult situations)
The victims' families have shown amazing strength of character.
strength of purpose/mind (=determination to do something)
In pursuing this ambition, William showed remarkable strength of purpose.
a source of strength (=person or thing that makes you brave or determined)
Her faith had always been a source of strength for her.
a great strength
Diversity is one of India's greatest strengths.
a real strength
The play's real strength is the way it explores relationships.
build on/capitalize on a strength (=use it as a basis for further achievement)
The organization must move forward and capitalize on its strengths.
play to your strengths (=use people's qualities and abilities in the best way in order to achieve something)
Both parties are playing to their strengths.
identify strengths
The teacher can identify each child's strengths and build on these.
know somebody's strengths
It's important to know your strengths as well as your weaknesses.
somebody's/something's strength lies in something
The show's strength lies in the fact that it appeals to all ages.
strengths and weaknesses
All technologies have different strengths and weaknesses.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

strength
streŋθ
See: on the strength of

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲