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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.

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

From Salon • Mar. 24, 2026

The animal came from Arkaim, a fortified settlement in the Southern Ural Mountains of present day Russia near the border with Kazakhstan.

From Science Daily • Mar. 7, 2026

Hegseth said a "powerful weapon" struck a "tactical operations centre that was fortified", without providing further details about the site's location.

From BBC • Mar. 3, 2026

Hundreds of protesters in Iraq, which officially declared three days of mourning for Khamenei, also tried to storm the fortified Green Zone in Baghdad, where the US embassy is located.

From Barron's • Mar. 1, 2026

Snow was smaller than Stone, a single fortified tower and a timber keep and stable hidden behind a low wall of unmortared rock.

From "A Game of Thrones" by George R.R. Martin

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.