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reinforce

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To reinforce is defined as to increase the number or amount, or to make stronger.

(verb)

An example of to reinforce is adding additional facts to prove an argument.

See reinforce in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb reinforced, reinforcing

to strengthen (a military, naval, or air force) with additional troops, ships, planes, etc.
to increase the number or amount of
to strengthen or make stronger, as by patching, propping, adding new material, etc.
to make stronger or more compelling: to reinforce one's arguments
Psychol. to increase the probability of (a response to a stimulus) by giving a reward or ending a painful stimulus

Origin: re- + inforce, var. of enforce

Related Forms:

reinforcer noun

See reinforce in American Heritage Dictionary 4

also re-en·force or re·en·force

transitive verb re·in·forced also re-en·forced or re·en·forced, re·in·forc·ing also re-en·forc·ing or re·en·forc·ing, re·in·forc·es also re-en·forc·es or re·en·forc·es

To give more force or effectiveness to; strengthen: The news reinforced her hopes.
To strengthen (a military force) with additional personnel or equipment.
To strengthen by adding extra support or material.
To increase the number or amount of; augment.
Psychology
a. To reward (an experimental subject, for example) with a reinforcer subsequent to a desired response or performance.
b. To encourage (a response) by means of a reinforcer.

Origin:

Origin: re-

Origin: + inforce (variant of enforce)

Related Forms: