fortify
Americanverb (used with object)
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to protect or strengthen against attack; surround or provide with defensive military works.
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to furnish with a means of resisting force or standing strain or wear.
to fortify cotton with nylon.
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to make strong; impart strength or vigor to.
to fortify oneself with a good breakfast.
- Synonyms:
- reinforce, strengthen
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to increase the effectiveness of, as by additional ingredients.
to fortify a diet with vitamins; to fortify a lotion with lanolin.
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to strengthen mentally or morally.
to be fortified by religious faith.
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to confirm or corroborate.
to fortify an accusation with facts.
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Nutrition. to add one or more ingredients to (a food) to increase its nutritional content.
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to add alcohol to (wine or the like).
verb (used without object)
verb
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(also intr) to make (a place) defensible, as by building walls, digging trenches, etc
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to strengthen physically, mentally, or morally
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to strengthen, support, or reinforce (a garment, structure, etc)
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to add spirits or alcohol to (wine), in order to produce sherry, port, etc
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to increase the nutritious value of (a food), as by adding vitamins and minerals
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to support or confirm
to fortify an argument with facts
Other Word Forms
- fortifiable adjective
- fortifier noun
- fortifyingly adverb
- nonfortifiable adjective
- nonfortifying adjective
- refortify verb (used with object)
- underfortify verb (used with object)
- unfortifiable adjective
Etymology
Origin of fortify
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
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.
After a bruising property downturn and years of economic uncertainty, families appear determined to fortify their balance sheets first — and spend later.
From MarketWatch • Feb. 26, 2026
New software techniques and extensions need to be developed to detect and fortify quantum programs against security threats.
From Science Daily • Jan. 20, 2026
Disney’s next CEO must navigate an uncertain future and fortify Disney+ as a leading streaming service.
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 20, 2026
In the past year, town officials in Ogunquit approved plans to reinforce Marginal Way and fortify it against future erosion.
From Barron's • Oct. 31, 2025
His voice did not waver, to fortify Cora as much as himself.
From "The Underground Railroad: A Novel" by Colson Whitehead
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.
