fortify
verb
for·ti·fy ˈfȯr-tə-ˌfī 
fortified; fortifying
transitive verb
: to make strong: such as
a
: to strengthen and secure (a place, such as a town) by forts or batteries
a city fortified by high walls
b
: to give physical strength, courage, or endurance to
fortified by a hearty meal
c
: to add mental or moral strength to : encourage
fortified by prayer
fortified by early successes
d
: to strengthen or enhance by the addition of some substance or ingredient: such as
(1)
: to add distilled grape spirits to (wine) during fermentation to increase the alcohol content
… both the red and white versions we get in this country have been American-made-from California wine fortified with a touch of brandy.
Jim Nelson
Jim Nelson (2)
: to enrich (food) by adding ingredients (such as vitamins or minerals) to improve the nutritional value
… make sure any soy milk you buy is fortified with vitamin D, an essential nutrient for bone health. Selene Yeager
Selene Yeagerintransitive verb
: to erect fortifications
fortifier
ˈfȯr-tə-ˌfī(-ə)r
noun 
Did you know?
Medieval cities were fortified against attack by high walls, and volunteers may fortify a levee against an overflowing river by means of sandbags. Foods can be fortified by adding vitamins, but "fortified wines", such as sherry and port, have brandy (a "stronger" drink) rather than vitamins added to them. By adopting good exercise habits, you can fortify your body against illness. And fortifying needn't always be physical. An author's reputation may be fortified by the success of his new book, or a prosecutor can fortify a case against a suspect by finding more evidence.
Synonyms
- brace
- forearm
- nerve
- poise
- psych (up)
- ready
- steel
- strengthen
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
fortify a city against attack a city fortified by high walls Support for his theories has been fortified by the results of these experiments. He took a deep breath to fortify himself before stepping onto the stage. milk fortified with vitamin D
Recent Examples on the Web Cal’s finances figure to become even more strained in the years to come given the defections of the L.A. teams unless the Pac-12 holders can find a way to fortify themselves, possibly with new members. Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2022 Clearing the area around a structure from vegetation and other combustible material, for example, can help fortify it against fire. Richard Vanderford, WSJ, 2 Aug. 2022 But there are things that can fortify us against them. NBC News, 19 June 2022 While more submarines are always a good idea, the Navy still needs a varied fleet above the waves to fortify itself against enemies in the world’s oceans. Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, 9 May 2022 One research study shows that 76% of hybrid workplaces surveyed are implementing password-free solutions such as biometric authentication in lieu of traditional passwords to fortify their security measures. Mara Garcia, Forbes, 3 Aug. 2022 The shooting already has led to calls to fortify schools further, on top of millions spent on equipment and other measures following earlier shootings. Collin Binkley And Kantele Franko, Anchorage Daily News, 27 May 2022 The shooting already has led to calls to fortify schools further, on top of millions spent on equipment and other measures following earlier shootings. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 27 May 2022 According to a news release, the event was held at Chevy Chase Country Club in Wheeling, the outing raised over $40,000 to help provide scholarships for Y programs to families in need and help fortify the Y’s future. Pioneer Press Staff, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2022 See More
Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2022 Clearing the area around a structure from vegetation and other combustible material, for example, can help fortify it against fire. Richard Vanderford, WSJ, 2 Aug. 2022 But there are things that can fortify us against them. NBC News, 19 June 2022 While more submarines are always a good idea, the Navy still needs a varied fleet above the waves to fortify itself against enemies in the world’s oceans. Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, 9 May 2022 One research study shows that 76% of hybrid workplaces surveyed are implementing password-free solutions such as biometric authentication in lieu of traditional passwords to fortify their security measures. Mara Garcia, Forbes, 3 Aug. 2022 The shooting already has led to calls to fortify schools further, on top of millions spent on equipment and other measures following earlier shootings. Collin Binkley And Kantele Franko, Anchorage Daily News, 27 May 2022 The shooting already has led to calls to fortify schools further, on top of millions spent on equipment and other measures following earlier shootings. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 27 May 2022 According to a news release, the event was held at Chevy Chase Country Club in Wheeling, the outing raised over $40,000 to help provide scholarships for Y programs to families in need and help fortify the Y’s future. Pioneer Press Staff, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English fortifien, from Anglo-French fortifier, from Late Latin fortificare, from Latin fortis strong
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense
Kids Definition
fortify
verb
for·ti·fy ˈfȯr-tə-ˌfī
fortified; fortifying
1
: to make strong
Walls fortified the city against attack.
2
: to add material to (something) to strengthen or improve it
The cereal was fortified with vitamins.
fortifying
verb
1
as in bracing
to prepare (oneself) mentally or emotionally Kelly fortified herself for the basketball tournament with a series of confidence-boosting exercises Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- bracing
- strengthening
- readying
- poising
- nerving
- steeling
- reinforcing
- bolstering
- arming
- forearming
- enforcing
- buttressing
- sustaining
- comforting
- hardening
- toughening
- inuring
- encouraging
- supporting
- psyching (up)
- boosting
- emboldening
- reenforcing
- rousing
- stirring
- rallying
- seasoning
- inspiring
- heartening
- buoying (up)
- propping (up)
- cheering (up)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- shaking
- discouraging
- undermining
- demoralizing
- softening
- daunting
- weakening
- disheartening
- unnerving
- sapping
- undercutting
- enervating
- tiring
- dispiriting
- debilitating
- psyching (out)
- prostrating
- enfeebling
2
as in strengthening
to increase the ability of (as a muscle) to exert physical force he downed another granola bar to fortify himself for the rest of the bike ride Synonyms & Similar Words
- strengthening
- hardening
- toughening
- energizing
- tempering
- vitalizing
- annealing
- invigorating
- beefing (up)
- restrengthening
- toning (up)
- firming (up)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- weakening
- impairing
- damaging
- crippling
- hurting
- injuring
- debilitating
- undermining
- harming
- paralyzing
- enervating
- incapacitating
- enfeebling
- undercutting
- breaking down
- sapping
- wearing out
3
as in hardening
to make able to withstand physical hardship, strain, or exposure bought lots of warm clothing to fortify ourselves against the cold Synonyms & Similar Words
- strengthening
- hardening
- bolstering
- toughening
- inuring
- adjusting
- steeling
- reinforcing
- adapting
- seasoning
- indurating
- bracing
- acclimatizing
- acclimating
- vitalizing
- buttressing
- invigorating
- enforcing
- immunizing
- tempering
- boosting
- annealing
- supporting
- habituating
- reenforcing
- conditioning
- accustoming
- training
- naturalizing
- forearming
- breaking in
- limbering (up)
- propping (up)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- softening
- weakening
- sapping
- exhausting
- enervating
- crippling
- sensitizing
- emasculating
- incapacitating
- debilitating
- enfeebling
- hamstringing