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View synonyms for fortify

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.

  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

“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
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Other Word Forms

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

Origin of fortify1

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

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

One of the newest members of NATO, Finland, is fortifying a portion of its 800-mile border with Russia.

It was the first year of the pandemic, and stuck behind our screens we fortified our knowledge of the external world and our relation — and responsibility — to it, through conversation about the ecological future.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Since 2019, soldiers have shut down some smaller army bases and moved into larger, fortified garrisons known as "super camps" in an attempt to better resist militant attacks.

Read more on Barron's

But a year later, after an offseason focused on fortifying the Trojans’ fronts, Riley is feeling more confident ahead of Michigan’s return trip to the Coliseum on Saturday.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Occidental has since sold assets to fortify its balance sheet but again found itself with a higher debt burden than its peers when crude prices dropped earlier this year.

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