fortify

[fawr-tuh-fahy]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR fortify ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), for·ti·fied, for·ti·fy·ing.

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

to furnish with a means of resisting force or standing strain or wear: to fortify cotton with nylon.

to make strong; impart strength or vigor to: to fortify oneself with a good breakfast.

to increase the effectiveness of, as by additional ingredients: to fortify a diet with vitamins; to fortify a lotion with lanolin.

to strengthen mentally or morally: to be fortified by religious faith.

to confirm or corroborate: to fortify an accusation with facts.

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

to add alcohol to (wine or the like).

verb (used without object), for·ti·fied, for·ti·fy·ing.

to set up defensive works; erect fortifications.

Origin of fortify

1400–50; late Middle English fortifien < Middle French fortifier < Late Latin fortificāre, equivalent to Latin forti(s) strong + -ficāre -fy

Related formsfor·ti·fi·a·ble, adjectivefor·ti·fi·er, nounfor·ti·fy·ing·ly, adverbnon·for·ti·fi·a·ble, adjectivenon·for·ti·fy·ing, adjectivere·for·ti·fy, verb (used with object), re·for·ti·fied, re·for·ti·fy·ing.un·der·for·ti·fy, verb (used with object), un·der·for·ti·fied, un·der·for·ti·fy·ing.un·for·ti·fi·a·ble, adjectiveun·for·ti·fied, adjectivewell-for·ti·fied, adjective

Synonyms for fortify

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR fortify ON THESAURUS.COM

3. strengthen, reinforce. 5. hearten, embolden.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for fortified

guarded, protected, walled, strengthened, secured, barricaded, armored, entrenched, armed, manned, garrisoned, strong

Examples from the Web for fortified

Contemporary Examples of fortified

As it happened, the coup members found the State House “fortified with additional soldiers.”
The Shadowy U.S. Veteran Who Tried to Overthrow a Country
Jacob Siegel
January 6, 2015
He also warns that the entire Uffizi museum should be fortified with anti-seismic measures.
Florence Preps ‘David’ for the Big One
Barbie Latza Nadeau
December 25, 2014
The inauguration had to be held in the fortified Kremlin, surrounded by an eerily quiet city.
Behind Bars for the Holidays: 11 Political Prisoners We Want to See Free In 2015
Movements.Org
December 25, 2014
With my back turned, he entered the combination to unlock the door, which was fortified by more than a foot of reinforced steel.
Writing a Novel: Even Making It Up Requires Research
Ridley Pearson
July 16, 2014
The Central Intelligence Agency found bin Laden hiding in a “fortified compound” in Abbottabad, Pakistan in late 2010.
Hillary Clinton’s New Book Shows Deep Distrust of Pakistan in the Hunt for Bin Laden
Bruce Riedel
June 19, 2014

Historical Examples of fortified

The place chosen for the fortified city of the Cymry was among the mountains.
Welsh Fairy Tales
William Elliott Griffis
Thus armed and fortified, do you think they'll ask other reference of their nurse?
The Atlantic Monthly, Vol. 10, No. 58, August, 1862
Various
These fortified points had to be attacked generally or not at all.
The Story of the Great War, Volume III (of VIII)
Various
This position had been fortified with trenches and wire entanglements.
The Story of the Great War, Volume III (of VIII)
Various
They fled to their fortified town on the shore of Lake Canandaigua.
Harper's Young People, July 6, 1880
Various

British Dictionary definitions for fortified

fortify

verb -fies, -fying or -fied (mainly tr)

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

to strengthen physically, mentally, or morally

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

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

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

to support or confirmto fortify an argument with facts

Derived Formsfortifiable, adjectivefortifier, nounfortifyingly, adverb

Word Origin for fortify

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for fortified

fortify

early 15c., "increase efficacy" (of medicine); mid-15c., "provide (a town) with walls and defenses," from Old French fortifiier (14c.) "to fortify, strengthen," from Late Latin fortificare "to strengthen, make strong," from Latin fortis "strong" (see fort) + facere "to make" (see factitious).

Sense of "to strengthen mentally or morally" is from late 15c. Meaning "add liquor or alcohol" is from 1880. Related: Fortified; fortifying.