Strength — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˈstreŋ(k)th/

Meaning & Definition of Strength

Strength (noun)

  1. the quality or state of being strong, capacity for exertion or endurance
  2. the ability to resist being moved or broken by a force, solidity, toughness
  3. the quality that allows someone to deal with problems in a determined and effective way

Strength (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. the ability to exert effort for the accomplishment of a task

    "the murdered man's wife didn't have the emotional strength to face reporters"

    similar: energy, firepower, force, horsepower, might, muscle, potence, potency, power, puissance, sinew, vigor
    related: aptitude, capability, capacity, competence, competency, adequacy, effectiveness, effectualness, usefulness
    opposite: impotence, impotency, powerlessness, weakness
    near: disability, inability, inaptitude, incapability, incapableness, incapacity, incompetence, incompetency, ineffectiveness, ineffectuality, ineffectualness, inefficaciousness, inefficacy, uselessness, helplessness, paralysis

  2. the ability to withstand force or stress without being distorted, dislodged, or damaged

    "this cheap shelving unit doesn't have the strength to hold all those books"

    similar: firmness, soundness, stability, sturdiness
    related: dependability, durability, reliability, solidity, solidness, cohesion, toughness
    opposite: insecurity, instability, precariousness, shakiness, unstableness, unsteadiness
    near: insubstantiality, unsoundness, unsubstantiality, weakness

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Strength

The most common words with a similar meaning to Strength:

energy, firepower, force, horsepower, might, muscle, potence, potency, power, puissance, sinew, vigor, firmness, soundness, stability, sturdiness

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Strength

Words with the opposite meaning of Strength:

impotence, impotency, powerlessness, weakness, insecurity, instability, precariousness, shakiness, unstableness, unsteadiness

Related Words for Strength

aptitude, capability, capacity, competence, competency, adequacy, effectiveness, effectualness, usefulness, dependability, durability, reliability, solidity, solidness, cohesion, toughness

Near Antonyms of Strength

disability, inability, inaptitude, incapability, incapableness, incapacity, incompetence, incompetency, ineffectiveness, ineffectuality, ineffectualness, inefficaciousness, inefficacy, uselessness, helplessness, paralysis, insubstantiality, unsoundness, unsubstantiality

Word Forms of Strength

Inflections: strengths

Origin & Etymology of Strength

Middle English strengthe, from Old English strengthu; akin to Old High German strengi strong strong

First known use: before 12th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Strength

Words & Phrases Containing Strength

strength in numbers, strength of purpose, strength of will, strength training, from strength to strength, industrial-strength, tensile strength, at full strength, at half strength

Frequently Asked Questions about Strength

What does "Strength" mean?

"Strength" means the quality or state of being strong, capacity for exertion or endurance. As a noun, it is defined as: the quality or state of being strong, capacity for exertion or endurance. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Strength"?

Other words for "Strength" include energy, firepower, force, horsepower, might, muscle, potence and potency. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Strength" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Strength"?

There are 32 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Strength". Common alternatives include energy, firepower, force, horsepower, might, muscle, potence, potency, power and puissance.

What is the opposite of "Strength"?

Antonyms of "Strength" include impotence, impotency, powerlessness, weakness, insecurity, instability, precariousness and shakiness. Near antonyms include disability, inability, inaptitude and incapability.

How do you use "Strength" in a sentence?

Examples of "Strength" in a sentence: "the murdered man's wife didn't have the emotional strength to face reporters"; "this cheap shelving unit doesn't have the strength to hold all those books".

Is "Strength" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Strength" is a noun.

Is "Strength" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B1-level word, "Strength" is typical of Cambridge B1 Preliminary (PET), IELTS band 4.0–5.0, TOEFL iBT 42–71, PTE Academic 43–58, TOEIC Listening & Reading 550+.

How do you pronounce "Strength"?

"Strength" is pronounced /ˈstreŋ(k)th/.