Device writing to a plurality of rows in a memory matrix simultaneously

A word line driver circuit (10) is coupled to word lines (18) of a memory matrix, for example a matrix of content addressable cells (12). The word line driver circuit is capable of selecting a plurality of word lines simultaneously to permit writing into memory cells in a plurality of rows via the same bit line simultaneously. Cell strength control circuitry (17) reduces a drive strength required to write data into the cells, relative to a drive strength of the bit line driver circuits (15), at least during writing data into memory cells in a plurality of rows of memory cells. Preferably, the drive strength control circuitry (17) contain a resistive element in the power supply lines of the memory cells in a column, so that the supply voltage of the cells in the column is increasingly reduced when more current is drawn during writing of more cells simultaneously.