In finite group theory, an area of abstract algebra, a strongly embedded subgroup of a finite group G is a proper subgroup H of even order such that H ∩ H^g has odd order whenever g is not in H.
The Bender-Suzuki theorem, proved by extending work of , classifies the groups G with a strongly embedded subgroup H. It states that that either

1. G has cyclic or generalized quaternion Sylow 2-subgroups and H contains the centralizer of an involution
2. or G/O(G) has a normal subgroup of odd index isomorphic to one of the simple groups PSL₂(q), Sz(q) or PSU₃(q) where q≥4 is a power of 2 and H is O(G)N_G(S) for some Sylow 2-subgroup S.

revised Suzuki's part of the proof.

extended Bender's classification to groups with a proper 2-generated core.