fortify

[fawr-tuh-fahy]

verb (used with object)

fortified, fortifying 

1. to protect or strengthen against attack; surround or provide with defensive military works.

2. to furnish with a means of resisting force or standing strain or wear.

   to fortify cotton with nylon.

3. to make strong; impart strength or vigor to.

   to fortify oneself with a good breakfast.

   Synonyms: reinforce, strengthen

4. to increase the effectiveness of, as by additional ingredients.

   to fortify a diet with vitamins; to fortify a lotion with lanolin.

5. to strengthen mentally or morally.

   to be fortified by religious faith.

   Synonyms: embolden, hearten

6. to confirm or corroborate.

   to fortify an accusation with facts.

7. Nutrition.,  to add one or more ingredients to (a food) to increase its nutritional content.

8. to add alcohol to (wine or the like).

verb (used without object)

fortified, fortifying 

1. to set up defensive works; erect fortifications.

fortify

/ ˈfɔːtɪˌfaɪ /

verb

1. (also intr) to make (a place) defensible, as by building walls, digging trenches, etc

2. to strengthen physically, mentally, or morally

3. to strengthen, support, or reinforce (a garment, structure, etc)

4. to add spirits or alcohol to (wine), in order to produce sherry, port, etc

5. to increase the nutritious value of (a food), as by adding vitamins and minerals

6. to support or confirm

   to fortify an argument with facts

Other Word Forms

• fortifiable adjective
• fortifier noun
• fortifyingly adverb
• nonfortifiable adjective
• nonfortifying adjective
• refortify verb (used with object)
• underfortify verb (used with object)
• unfortifiable adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of fortify¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English fortifien, from Middle French fortifier, from Late Latin fortificāre, equivalent to Latin forti(s) “strong” + -ficāre -fy

Word History and Origins

Origin of fortify¹

C15: from Old French fortifier , from Late Latin fortificāre , from Latin fortis strong + facere to make

Example Sentences

What that does is test the creativity of Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman to devise ways to fortify the line and protect Herbert without whittling away too many offensive options.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Another flagship project, called Eastern Flank Watch, is aimed at fortifying the EU's eastern borders by sea, air and land to protect against so-called hybrid warfare, as well as from Russia's shadow fleet.

Read more on BBC

Sitting on the dusty steps of a New Haven apartment building, the generational divide suddenly looks a lot more like a wall, one that’s fortified to separate these two women for good.

Read more on Salon

The castle had a rectangular stone tower similar to a keep, a type of heavily fortified stronghold found in castles in Carlisle, Bamburgh and Lancaster in England.

Read more on BBC

The Dodgers will make the playoffs, but the collection of players they bought to fortify their World Series title defense has fallen far short of expectations.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• brace 
• build up 
• buttress 
• consolidate 
• entrench 
• protect 
• reinforce 
• secure 
• shore up 
• step up 
• strengthen