fortify

American  

[fawr-tuh-fahy] / ˈfɔr təˌfaɪ /

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).

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verb (used without object)

fortified, fortifying

1. to set up defensive works; erect fortifications.

fortify British  

/ 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

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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

Etymology

Origin of fortify

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

Explanation

If you add nutrients to something you fortify it. Food scientists have found ways to fortify cereal, but in addition to vitamins C and D, they usually add a lot of sugar. If you strengthen your defenses, you fortify them, perhaps by adding more arms or increasing your defensive walls. Sometimes the defenses you fortify will be tangible and sometimes the word is used metaphorically to mean give courage. If a castle was originally vulnerable to attack, the owner might fortify it by adding a moat — and maybe filling it with crocodiles. If you're nervous about giving a speech, you should fortify yourself with a pep talk first.

Example Sentences

He says he persuaded European partners to provide funding to help Poland fortify his borders.

From Barron's • Mar. 13, 2026

After a bruising property downturn and years of economic uncertainty, families appear determined to fortify their balance sheets first — and spend later.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 26, 2026

New software techniques and extensions need to be developed to detect and fortify quantum programs against security threats.

From Science Daily • Jan. 20, 2026

Disney’s next CEO must navigate an uncertain future and fortify Disney+ as a leading streaming service.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 20, 2026

“Time to conjure the bottle tree. The last thing. The sky-ferries will take us back to the pier soon, but I want to fortify it for you.”

From "The Marvellers" by Dhonielle Clayton

Related Words

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