strengthen ♦︎ reinforce ♦︎ bolster ♦︎ cement ♦︎ shore sth upThese words all mean to make sb/sth stronger.这些词均表示增强、巩固。PATTERNS AND COLLOCATIONS 句型和搭配◆to strengthen / reinforce a view◆to strengthen / bolster / cement the case (for sth)◆to strengthen / bolster / shore up the economy◆to strengthen / bolster / shore sth up◆to strengthen / reinforce / bolster / cement sth further■strengthen [intransitive, transitive] to become stronger; to make sb/sth stronger加强;增强;巩固◆The wind had strengthened overnight.夜里风更大了。◆Her position in the party has strengthened in recent weeks.最近几个星期以来,她在党内的地位有所增强。◆Repairs are necessary to strengthen the bridge.这座桥需要维修加固。◆The exercises are designed to strengthen your stomach muscles.这些运动目的在于增强你的腹部肌肉。◆Their attitude only strengthened his resolve to fight on.他们的态度反而坚定了他继续战斗的决心。◆The experience of bereavement can strengthen family ties.丧亲之痛能够增强家人之间的感情。ⓘ Strengthen is the most general of these words and can mean to make sb/sth stronger in any way: physically, emotionally, morally, politically or financially. * strengthen在本组词中含义最广,可以表示在任何方面增强,如在身体、情感、道义、政治或经济方面。OPPweaken ⇨ weaken, weaken ⇨ worsen, weaken ⇨ tire see also strength ⇨ forcenoun■reinforce ˌriːɪnˈfɔːs; NAmEˌriːɪnˈfɔːrs [transitive] to make sth such as a feeling or idea stronger; to make a structure or material stronger, especially by adding another material to it加强;充实;使更强烈;加固◆The experience reinforced my sense of loss.这次经历让我感到更加失落。◆The buildings were reinforced to withstand earthquakes.这些建筑物都已加固以抗地震。◆reinforced plastic / steel / concrete增强塑料/钢材;钢筋混凝土■bolsterˈbəʊlstə(r); NAmEˈboʊlstər [transitive] to support or improve sth or make it stronger支持;改善;加强◆to bolster sb's confidence / courage / morale增加某人的信心/勇气/士气◆Falling interest rates may help to bolster up the economy.利率下降可能有助于振兴经济。◆I needed to stress the bus driver's evidence in order to bolster my case.我需要强调公共汽车司机的证言,以支持我的论据。ⓘ Bolster is used especially to talk about making sb/sth stronger emotionally or financially, or to make the argument or case for sth stronger. * bolster尤指使某人或某事物在情感或财务方面得以加强,或者使argument或case得到支持。■cementsɪˈment [transitive] to make sth such as an agreement or relationship stronger加强,巩固(协议、关系等)◆The President's visit was intended to cement the alliance between the two countries.总统的访问是为了加强两国间的联盟。■ˌshore sth ˈup
phrasal verb
to support part of a building or other large structure by placing large pieces of wood or metal against or under it so that it does not fall down; to help to support sth that is weak or going to fail用撑柱支撑;支撑;稳住◆Timbers were used to shore up the tunnel.用了木材来支撑隧道。◆The measures were aimed at shoring up the economy.采取这些措施目的在于稳定经济。