fortify
verb (used with object)
to protect or strengthen against attack; surround or provide with defensive military works.
was fortifying
-
past progressiveof fortify.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
She added that Denmark was fortifying its military presence in the Arctic, and offered closer collaboration with the US in defending the region.
From BBC ● Apr. 11, 2025
At the same time, Russia was fortifying its defensive lines, converting its economy to war production, conscripting hundreds of thousands of fighters and adjusting its strategy for renewed offensives this winter.
From New York Times ● Feb. 24, 2024
The Russian military was fortifying the defenses around Moscow, and Lukashenko told Prigozhin he was about to get “squashed like a bug,” he later recalled.
From Seattle Times ● Jun. 28, 2023
It was getting on 1 a.m., and Larry was fortifying himself for the last run of his shift, driving the No. 30 streetcar back to the barn in Friendship Heights.
From Washington Post ● Oct. 21, 2015
Our whole maritime coast was still threatened, and every seaport of any magnitude, was fortifying itself when Congress assembled again.
From The Second War with England, Vol. 2 of 2 by Joel Tyler Headley
