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

This is Fruity Martini 2.0 — a renaissance built on nostalgia, but fortified with skill.

Read more on Salon

In his 2021 book, “The Real Anthony Fauci,” Kennedy defines this as “preventing disease by fortifying the immune system through nutrition and by reducing exposures to environmental toxins and stresses.”

Read more on Salon

A fresco in the Vatican Library shows bishops holding the Council of Nicaea in a basilica outside the walls of a fortified city, near a lake.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

UC President James B. Milliken said the announced cuts would be a “death knell for innovative work that saves lives, grows our economy and fortifies our national security.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

California’s governor gambled and won, raised his national profile and fortified his fund-raising base.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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