What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Grow vs Strengthen - What's the difference?

grow | strengthen |

In intransitive terms the difference between grow and strengthen

is that grow is to appear or sprout while strengthen is to grow strong or stronger.

In transitive terms the difference between grow and strengthen

is that grow is to cause or allow something to become bigger, especially to cultivate plants while strengthen is to augment; to improve; to intensify.

As verbs the difference between grow and strengthen

is that grow is to become bigger while strengthen is to make strong or stronger; to add strength to; to increase the strength of; to fortify; to reinforce.

grow

English

Verb

  • (ergative) To become bigger.
    • Children grow quickly.
  • To appear or sprout.
    • Flowers grew on the trees as summer approached.
    A long tail began to grow from his backside.
  • To cause or allow something to become bigger, especially to cultivate plants.
  • * {{quote-news
    • , year=2011 , date=March 01 , author=Peter Roff , title=Another Foolish Move By Congress , work=Fox News citation , passage=The Bush administration – which sought to grow the number of fisheries managed under a program known as “catch shares”... }}
    He grows peppers and squash each summer in his garden.
    Have you ever grown your hair before?
  • (copulative) To assume a condition or quality over time.
    • The boy grew wise as he matured.
    The town grew smaller and smaller in the distance as we travelled.
    You have grown strong.
  • (obsolete) To become attached or fixed; to adhere.
  • * Shakespeare
    • Our knees shall kneel till to the ground they grow .

    Usage notes

    * Growed is a slang or dialect inflection for the simple past and past participle.

    Antonyms

    * shrink

    Derived terms

    * grow a pair * growed * grower * grow house * growing pains * growing point * grown-up * grow on * grow op * grow out of * growth * grow up * outgrow * overgrow

    References

    * 1000 English basic words English ergative verbs English irregular verbs

    strengthen

    English

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • (lb) To make strong or stronger; to add strength to; to increase the strength of; to fortify; to reinforce.
  • :
  • *(William Shakespeare) (c.1564–1616)
  • *:Let noble Warwick, Cobham, and the rest,/ With powerful policy strengthen themselves.
  • *1851 , Anonymous, Arthur Hamilton, and His Dog
  • *:A little hardship, and a little struggling with the rougher elements of life, will perchance but strengthen and increase his courage, and prepare him for the conflicts and struggles of after years.
  • (lb) To animate; to give moral strength to; to encourage; to fix in resolution; to hearten.
  • *(Bible), (w) iii. 28
  • *:Charge Joshua, and encourage him, and strengthen him.
  • *
  • *:"A fine man, that Dunwody, yonder," commented the young captain, as they parted, and as he turned to his prisoner. "We'll see him on in Washington some day. He is strengthening his forces now against Mr. Benton out there.."
  • (lb) To augment; to improve; to intensify.
  • (lb) To grow strong or stronger.

    • Antonyms

    * atrophy

    Derived terms

    * strengthener

    References

    * English ergative verbs