stronger
stronger — adjective
1. having great physical force, influence, or authority — for example, a weightlift
having great physical force, influence, or authority — for example, a weightlifter who can lift 150 kilograms, a government that controls a nation, or a company that dominates its market.
Amara is strong enough to carry both boxes up three flights of stairs.
strong enough + infinitive for capability
The strong winds knocked down several trees along the highway last night.
strong + wind for physical force of nature
A strong leader listens to the people before making important decisions.
The company has a strong position in the Asian market, with offices in four countries.
Wei gained strong support from local communities after the election campaign.
- weak
lacking strength, force, or influence
用法筆記
Can describe physical strength (person, animal, wind), social power (government, leader), or institutional influence (company, brand). Often used with 'enough + to-infinitive' for physical capability.
常見錯誤
2. of a high quality or standard, making success likely — for example, a team that
of a high quality or standard, making success likely — for example, a team that wins most of its matches, a business that earns good profits, or an economy that creates many jobs.
The school has a strong record of sending graduates to top universities.
strong record for proven success
Kenji put together a strong proposal that won the contract for his firm.
Although the other team played well, our side had a stronger defence throughout the tournament.
A strong economy creates more jobs and raises living standards for ordinary families.
- powerful
can overlap, but 'powerful' leans toward influence; 'strong' here emphasises quality
- formidable
more formal; suggests impressive difficulty to beat
- poor
of low quality; unlikely to succeed
用法筆記
Commonly collocates with nouns related to performance: record, proposal, case, candidacy, showing, performance. Not used for physical strength — that is sense 1.
常見錯誤
3. having a high level of ability or expertise in a particular subject or activity
having a high level of ability or expertise in a particular subject or activity — for example, being strong in mathematics, or strong at writing essays.
Elena is strong in chemistry and often helps her classmates with lab experiments.
strong in + subject/field
The company hired several engineers who are strong at programming in Python.
strong at + skill/activity
Lucia is not a strong swimmer, so she stays in the shallow end of the pool.
Dr. Okafor is a strong researcher who has published over twenty papers in medical journals.
- weak
lacking skill or ability in a specific area
用法筆記
Followed by 'in' + field/subject (strong in maths), 'at' + activity (strong at drawing), or used attributively before a noun describing the skilled person (strong candidate, strong player).
常見錯誤
4. based on firm belief and determination; difficult to argue against or change — f
based on firm belief and determination; difficult to argue against or change — for example, a strong opinion that a person refuses to give up, or strong evidence that proves a point in court.
Deepa holds strong views about protecting the environment and volunteers every weekend.
strong views/opinions for firmly held beliefs
The prosecutor presented strong evidence that linked the suspect to the crime scene.
strong evidence for convincing proof
There is a strong argument for reducing class sizes in primary schools.
My grandmother has a strong belief that hard work always pays off in the end.
The committee made a strong recommendation to ban single-use plastic bags.
- firm
slightly narrower: focuses on unwillingness to change
- convincing
used for arguments and evidence; 'strong' is more versatile
用法筆記
Often collocates with nouns of belief, reasoning, or evidence: view, opinion, belief, argument, evidence, case, recommendation. Distinguish from sense 1 (POWERFUL) which focuses on force/control, not conviction.
常見錯誤
5. very noticeable or powerful in taste, smell, colour, light, or effect — for exam
very noticeable or powerful in taste, smell, colour, light, or effect — for example, strong black coffee, a strong smell of garlic in the kitchen, or strong sunlight that burns the skin.
This cheese has a very strong smell that fills the entire room.
strong smell for intense odour
Omar prefers strong black coffee with no sugar or milk added.
strong coffee for concentrated taste
The strong sunlight made the hikers seek shade under a large tree.
The curry had a strong flavour of cumin and coriander seeds.
Do not use strong detergent on silk fabrics or the colour will fade.
用法筆記
Describes sensory experiences: taste (strong coffee, strong flavour), smell (strong odour, strong scent), light (strong sunlight, strong beam), and chemical effect (strong detergent, strong bleach). The opposite is 'mild' or 'weak'.
常見錯誤
6. not easily broken, damaged, or made ill; able to support heavy weight or resist
not easily broken, damaged, or made ill; able to support heavy weight or resist harm — for example, a strong rope that can hold a heavy boat, a strong immune system that fights off colds, or a strong wooden table that lasts for decades.
We need a strong rope to pull the car out of the muddy ditch.
strong rope for sturdy physical object
Chidi has a strong immune system and rarely catches the flu.
strong immune system for healthy/hardy
The bridge is made of strong steel beams that can support heavy trucks.
After the operation, the patient still felt weak but his heart remained strong.
The old wooden chair is surprisingly strong and holds my weight without any noise.
用法筆記
Describes physical durability (rope, bridge, chair, material) or health and resilience (immune system, heart, body). When used for health, 'strong' contrasts with 'weak', 'sickly', or 'fragile'. Distinguish from sense 1 (POWERFUL) which focuses on force exerted; this sense focuses on resistance to damage.
常見錯誤
7. expressing opinions, criticism, or feelings in a very direct and powerful way wi
expressing opinions, criticism, or feelings in a very direct and powerful way without worrying about upsetting people — for example, a strong speech against government corruption, or a strong letter of complaint.
Nadia made a strong speech at the council meeting, demanding better public transport.
strong speech for forceful public statement
The newspaper published a strong editorial criticising the new tax law.
Samir issued a strong denial of all the accusations made against his company.
We received strong criticism from residents about the noise from the construction site.
- mild
not forceful or extreme in expression
用法筆記
Collocates with nouns of expression: speech, statement, denial, criticism, protest, objection, warning, complaint. Distinguish from sense 4 (FIRMLY HELD) which describes a belief; this sense describes the forceful expression of that belief.
常見錯誤
❌ 'She made a strong speech about the problem.' — OK, but ensure 'strong' here means forceful, not just 'good' (sense 2). If the speech was good but not forceful, use 'powerful' or 'effective' instead.
8. describing words or language that are either very direct and forceful in showing
describing words or language that are either very direct and forceful in showing disapproval or anger, or that contain swear words — for example, a politician using strong language to denounce a policy, or a film rated for adults because of strong language throughout.
The teacher used strong language to tell the students that their behaviour was unacceptable.
strong language for forceful/disapproving words
Viewers were warned that the documentary contained scenes of violence and strong language.
viewer warning: strong language (often includes swearing)
My aunt was shocked by the strong language the driver used when his car broke down.
Diplomats exchanged strong words during the negotiation over trade tariffs.
The comedian's show was funny but had a lot of strong language that some people found offensive.
- forceful language
emphasises directness without necessarily implying swearing
- swear words
more specific; refers only to taboo words, not forceful expression
- profanity
more formal; refers specifically to offensive or blasphemous language
- polite language
using courteous and considerate expressions
- clean language
informal; language without swear words
用法筆記
The phrase 'strong language' covers two related meanings in everyday use: (1) forceful, direct expression of anger or disapproval (e.g. a politician using strong language in a speech), and (2) swear words or profanity (e.g. a film's strong language warning). Context usually makes the meaning clear — content warnings on TV and films typically refer to swearing, while descriptions of speeches or formal complaints usually mean forceful expression. 'Strong words' (plural, without 'language') always means a forceful verbal disagreement between people, never profanity.
常見錯誤
9. very probable or likely to happen, succeed, or be true — for example, a strong c
very probable or likely to happen, succeed, or be true — for example, a strong chance of rain this afternoon, or a strong possibility that the company will hire new staff.
There is a strong chance of snow on the mountain roads tonight.
strong chance of + noun for high probability
The doctor said there is a strong possibility that the patient will recover fully.
strong possibility + that-clause
Hana is a strong candidate for the scholarship given her excellent grades.
The team is in a strong position to win the championship this year.
We have strong reason to believe that the missing documents were stolen.
用法筆記
Collocates with: chance, possibility, probability, likelihood, candidate, contender, position, reason. Unlike senses 1-2, this sense specifically connects to probability or likelihood rather than quality or strength.
常見錯誤
10. having a particular number of people, members, or units — used right after a num
having a particular number of people, members, or units — used right after a number to indicate the total size of a group. For example, a crowd 5,000 strong marched through the city centre.
A crowd 10,000 strong gathered in the square to hear the president speak.
number + strong = group size
The company now has a sales force 200 strong across the Asia-Pacific region.
The delegation was 50 strong when it arrived at the climate conference.
The university's research team, 30 strong, includes scientists from six countries.
用法筆記
Always placed after a number. Common in journalism and formal descriptions of group sizes: 'a crowd 5,000 strong', 'a team 20 strong', 'a workforce 1,000 strong'. Not used in everyday conversation — do not say 'We were 10 strong' in casual speech.
常見錯誤
11. describing a type of flour that contains a high level of gluten, which makes it
describing a type of flour that contains a high level of gluten, which makes it suitable for baking bread, pizza bases, and other foods that need a chewy, firm texture.
Use strong flour for bread-making because it gives the dough a better rise.
strong flour for bread-making (culinary context)
The recipe says to use strong white flour for the pizza base.
Strong flour has more protein than plain flour, which helps the bread hold its shape.
Lukas bought a bag of strong flour to bake his first sourdough loaf.
- bread flour
American English equivalent; the same product
- high-gluten flour
technical term; used in commercial baking contexts
- plain flour
UK term; flour with lower gluten content used for cakes and pastries
用法筆記
Chiefly British English. In American English, 'bread flour' is the usual term for the same product. The opposite of 'strong flour' is 'plain flour' (UK) or 'all-purpose flour' (US).
常見錯誤
12. describing an acid, alkali, or base that breaks down almost completely into char
describing an acid, alkali, or base that breaks down almost completely into charged particles when dissolved in water, producing a high concentration of ions — for example, hydrochloric acid is a strong acid.
Sulphuric acid is a strong acid that can burn through many materials.
strong acid for highly ionising chemical
In the lab, students must handle strong alkalis like sodium hydroxide with great care.
A strong base such as potassium hydroxide releases many hydroxide ions in solution.
The difference between a strong acid and a weak acid is how fully the acid splits into ions.
- weak
describing an acid or base that does not fully dissociate in water
用法筆記
A technical term in chemistry. 'Strong' here does not mean 'concentrated' — a strong acid can be diluted and still have the chemical property of full ionisation. The opposite is a 'weak' acid or base. Distinguish from sense 5 (INTENSE) which describes sensory intensity.
常見錯誤
stronger — adverb
1. to act in a forceful, overly direct manner that leaves the other person feeling
to act in a forceful, overly direct manner that leaves the other person feeling pressured or put off — especially in romantic or professional situations where the intensity is not wanted
Lin's manager came on too strong during the review, criticizing every minor mistake.
phrasal idiom: come on too strong + criticizing
After just one date, Diego came on too strong by talking about getting married.
informal register: unwanted romantic pressure
Amara warned her cousin that the new guy at work tends to come on too strong.
When Kenji sent twenty text messages in one evening, his friends told him he was coming on too strong.
A car salesman who comes on too strong will scare away most customers.
- hold back
opposite of being too forceful or forward
文法句型
come on + (too) strong
用法筆記
Typically used in the phrase 'come on (too) strong'. Frequently appears in dating or workplace contexts to describe unwanted pressure.
常見錯誤
2. to increase your effort or performance sharply in order to win, gain an upper ha
to increase your effort or performance sharply in order to win, gain an upper hand, or take charge of a situation where people are competing
Mei came on strong in the final round of the competition, scoring three goals in ten minutes.
phrasal idiom: come on strong + competitive context
The candidate came on strong during the debate, challenging every point his opponent made.
Sofia's basketball team came on strong in the second quarter, turning a ten-point loss into a comfortable lead.
Takeshi came on strong with his business proposal, impressing the investors with detailed financial plans.
Zara came on strong in her first month at the new job, completing three major projects ahead of schedule.
文法句型
come on + strong
用法筆記
Common in sports, business, and competitive contexts. Unlike sense 1, this has no negative connotation — it describes determined, effective effort.