fortify
verb (used with object)
to protect or strengthen against attack; surround or provide with defensive military works.
had been fortifying
-
past perfect progressiveof fortify.past perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that was ongoing continuously in the past up until another past event interrupted it.
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.
His loyal followers took up positions they had been fortifying for months with sandbags, steel armor and bricks.
From Time Magazine Archive
“Yes,” I said, “but that was a special case because it was a fortress rather than a mountain, anyway. The Austrians had been fortifying it for years.”
From "A Farewell To Arms" by Ernest Hemingway
All day long he had been fortifying his resolution to tell Father Boone everything.
From A Boy Knight by Martin Jerome Scott
For four years the Germans had been fortifying this part of the line in every possible way, for they realized the danger to them of a successful advance along the Meuse from Verdun to Sedan.
From Winning a Cause World War Stories by Inez Bigwood
During the month that had passed since Walker's last visit, the enemy had been fortifying the place, and the batteries were found ready to receive the vessels.
From The Gulf and Inland Waters The Navy in the Civil War. Volume 3. by A. T. (Alfred Thayer) Mahan
