reforzar
verbCEFR B2
What does “reforzar” mean in English?
to reinforce, to strengthen
to reinforce, to strengthen (reforzar + noun — add strength or support to existing structure; yo refuerzo)
Example sentences
Los nuevos datos refuerzan la hipótesis de que el cambio climático está acelerando la pérdida de biodiversidad.
The new data reinforces the hypothesis that climate change is accelerating biodiversity loss.
El gobierno decidió reforzar los controles fronterizos ante el incremento de la presión migratoria.
The government decided to reinforce border controls in the face of increasing migratory pressure.
How to use it
Reforzar means 'to reinforce' or 'to strengthen'. Stem-changing: yo refuerzo, él refuerza. Structure: reforzar + noun. Collocations: reforzar la hipótesis, reforzar la seguridad, reforzar los lazos. Common in academic, political, and security registers.
Common mistake
Reforzar (reinforce — add strength to existing structure) vs. fortalecer (strengthen — build up strength) vs. consolidar (consolidate — make stable). In argumentative writing, reforzar una tesis/argumento is the standard B2 collocation.