fortify
verb (used with object)
to protect or strengthen against attack; surround or provide with defensive military works.
were 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.
Nearly as many said they were fortifying the grid against severe weather.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 14, 2026
She had thought they would be trapped in crossfire as Iran-backed groups were fortifying their positions and getting ready to fight, but then "they just vanished in a few hours".
From BBC ● Feb. 15, 2025
Ukrainian forces have made more progress in that area and were fortifying captured positions on Tuesday morning, according to Pavlo Kovalchuk, spokesman of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
From Seattle Times ● Sep. 5, 2023
After a week of rapid Ukrainian gains in the northeast, Ukrainian officials said Russian forces were fortifying defences and it would be hard to maintain the pace of the advance.
From Reuters ● Sep. 15, 2022
We were fortifying the Hill in one Night.
From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume I: The Pox Party" by M.T. Anderson
