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Synonyms

fortified

American  
[fawr-tuh-fahyd] / ˈfɔr təˌfaɪd /

adjective

  1. protected or strengthened against attack; provided with defensive military works.

    Jim’s platoon was the reserve force for his company's coordinated assault on a heavily fortified hill.

  2. given strength or vigor, as by food or drink.

    She rejoined her companions, toting snacks and goodies in her pack, and the newly fortified hikers continued on their way the next day.

  3. Nutrition. having one or more ingredients added, as vitamins, minerals, etc., to increase nutritional value.

    The fortified flour helps reduce anemia and enhance micronutrient uptake.

  4. (of wine or the like) having extra alcohol added.

    Marsala, a fortified wine sweetened with concentrated grape juice, comes from Sicily.

  5. strengthened mentally or morally.

    From this new perspective, he looked upon the impossible task with fortified courage.

  6. having ingredients, elements, or features added in order to increase effectiveness or withstand strain or wear.

    The new, fortified design standards aim at strengthening buildings and infrastructure against high winds, flooding, and fire.

verb

  1. the simple past tense and past participle of fortify.

Other Word Forms

  • unfortified adjective
  • well-fortified adjective

Etymology

Origin of fortified

fortify ( def. ) + -ed 2 ( def. )

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.

Smaller islands near Qeshm are likewise fortified with military structures, including Hormuz to the east.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 2, 2026

Along with another islet, Siri, "these islands have been fortified, turned into mini-fortresses with anti-ship missiles", Pierre Razoux from the France-based Mediterranean Foundation for Strategic Studies told AFP recently.

From Barron's • Mar. 27, 2026

“Government officials live on military bases or other sorts of fortified zones in authoritarian regimes.”

From Salon • Mar. 24, 2026

At that time, communities were building enclosed settlements and returning to Bronze Age settlement mounds and parts of large fortified sites.

From Science Daily • Mar. 9, 2026

Then, as if she had fortified herself and come to a decision, she said, “I didn’t wait.”

From Each Little Bird That Sings by Deborah Wiles

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.