fortify

[ fawr-tuh-fahy ]

verb (used with object)

, for·ti·fied, for·ti·fy·ing.

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).

verb (used without object)

, for·ti·fied, for·ti·fy·ing.

1. to set up defensive works; erect fortifications.

fortify

/ 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

Derived Forms

• ˈfortiˌfyingly, adverb
• ˈfortiˌfier, noun
• ˈfortiˌfiable, adjective

Other Words From

• for·ti·fi·a·ble adjective
• for·ti·fi·er noun
• for·ti·fy·ing·ly adverb
• non·for·ti·fi·a·ble adjective
• non·for·ti·fy·ing adjective
• re·for·ti·fy verb (used with object) refortified refortifying
• un·der·for·ti·fy verb (used with object) underfortified underfortifying
• un·for·ti·fi·a·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of fortify¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of fortify¹

C15: from Old French fortifier , from Late Latin fortificāre , from Latin fortis strong + facere to make

Example Sentences

“Ninety-seven percent of babies do not meet their daily nutrient requirement, 40% of babies, zero to five, suffer from iron deficiency anaemia. And we know that to be anaemic has lifelong consequences. For instance, brain development and next poor immunity and 20% of kids zero to five are stunted. That means we fortify our products.”

From BBC

It was basically a blank check to fortify the roster.

From Los Angeles Times

It was basically a blank check to fortify the roster.

From Los Angeles Times

By contrast, everybody remembers Trump’s 2016 platform: Revoke the trade deals, fortify the borders, drain the swamp.

From Salon

It was basically a blank check to fortify the roster.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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