What does "fortify" mean?
To give power, strength, or vigour to (oneself or someone, or to something); to strengthen.
Fortify
/ˈfɔːtɪfaɪ/ verb
verb ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: To give power, strength, or vigour to (oneself or someone, or to something); to strengthen.
- Grammar: fortify is listed as verb.
- Nearest alternatives: strengthen, add to, adulterate, affirm.
- Useful contrasts: debilitated, enfeebled, malnourished.
- Usage evidence: Fadil and Dania were ready to do anything to fortify their relationship.
How to use "fortify"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "fortify" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "fortify" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "fortify" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "fortify" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "fortify" is acting as verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "strengthen" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "fortify", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Verb
- 1 To give power, strength, or vigour to (oneself or someone, or to something); to strengthen. transitive
"[I]t [“oleum de costo”] fortifyeth yͤ ſtomack and Lyuer, it keepeth the hayre from fallyng of, & the head from horeneſſe [hoaryness], it cauſeth good colour, and ſauour in all the body."
- 2 make strong or stronger wordnet
- 3 To support (one's or someone's opinion, statement, etc.) by producing evidence, etc.; to confirm, to corroborate. transitive
"And vnto that texte he wold haue made you a gloſe, that his father and he were one not in ſubſtaunce but in will. And that gloſe he would haue fortified and made ſomewhat ſemely with an other worde of Chriſt, […]"
- 4 add alcohol to (beverages) wordnet
- 5 To increase the nutritional value of (food) by adding ingredients, especially minerals or vitamins. transitive
"Soy milk is often fortified with calcium."
Show 13 more definitions
- 6 add nutrients to wordnet
- 7 To impart fortitude or moral strength to (someone or their determination, or something); to encourage. figuratively, transitive
"[H]er ovvne proofe taught her to knovv her mothers minde; vvhich […] greatly fortified her deſires, to ſee, that her mother had the like deſires. And the more iealous her mother was, the more ſhe thought the Ievvell precious, vvhich vvas vvith ſo many lookes garded."
- 8 prepare oneself for a military confrontation wordnet
- 9 To make (something) defensible against attack by hostile forces. figuratively, transitive
"For if they fell upon one kind of ſtrictneſſe, unleſſe their cure vvere equall to regulat all other things of like aptnes to corrupt the mind, that ſingle endeavour they knevv vvould be but a fond labour; to ſhut and fortifie one gate againſt corruption, and be neceſſitated to leave others round about vvide open."
- 10 enclose by or as if by a fortification wordnet
- 11 To make (something) structurally strong; to strengthen. archaic, transitive
"The third manner of hunting is done vvith leſſer labour: that is, foure ſtrong men armed vvith ſhields, and fortified all ouer vvith thonges of leather, and hauing helmets vpon their heades, that onely their eyes, noſes, and lips may appeare, vvith the brandiſhing of their firebrands ruſtle in vpon the lyon lying in his den: […]"
- 12 To increase the defences of (an army, soldiers, etc.), or put (it or them) in a defensive position. transitive
"Ile haue you learne to ſleepe vpon the ground, / March in your armor thorow watery fens, / […] / Then next, the way to fortifie your men, / In champion grounds, […]"
- 13 To secure and strengthen (a place, its walls, etc.) by installing fortifications or other military works. transitive
"But Baſilius (having bene the last day ſomevvhat vnprouided) novv had better fortified the ouerthrovvne ſconſe; and so vvell had prepared every thing for defence, that it vvas impoſſible for any valour from vvithin, to prevaile."
- 14 To provide (a city, a fortress, an army, etc.) with equipment or soldiers. obsolete, transitive
"At the ſame time, I fortified my ſelf vvith the French Captain, and the Supra Cargo, and the other Captain; […]"
- 15 To add spirits to (wine) to increase the alcohol content. transitive
"Sherry is made by fortifying wine."
- 16 To install fortifications or other military works; also (sometimes figurative), to put up a defensive position. intransitive
"[…] I vvill vvithdravv my ſelfe to the Riuer, & there fortifie for fiſh: for there reſteth no minute free from fight."
- 17 To become strong; to strengthen. intransitive, obsolete
"But the poets and vvriters of Hiſtories are the beſt Doctors of this knovvledge, vvhere vve may finde painted fourth vvith greate life, Hovv affections are kindled and incyted: and hovv pacified and reſtrained: and hovv againe Conteyned from Act, & furder degree: hovv they diſcloſe themſelues, hovv they vvork hovv they varye, hovv they gather and fortifie, hovv they are invvrapped one vvithin another, a[n]d hovve they doe fighte and encounter one vvith another, and other the like particularityes: […]"
- 18 To undergo, or cause to undergo, fortition. ambitransitive
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"Fadil and Dania were ready to do anything to fortify their relationship."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "fortify"?
Common synonyms include: strengthen, add to, adulterate, affirm, animate, arm.
How do you use "fortify" in a sentence?
Fadil and Dania were ready to do anything to fortify their relationship.
How do you pronounce "fortify"?
Pronounced /ˈfɔːtɪfaɪ/.
Etymology
From Late Middle English fortifien, fortfien (“to strengthen (a castle, etc.) from attack; to strengthen (an army, etc.); to strengthen (a person), aid, support; to reinforce, support; to improve; to increase the efficacy of”), from Old French fortifier (modern French fortifier), from Late Latin fortificāre (“to strengthen, fortify”), from Latin fortis (“powerful, strong”) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *bʰerǵʰ- (“to ascend, rise up; to be elevated or up high”) or *dʰerǵʰ- (“to be firm; robust, strong”)) + -ficō (suffix forming causative or factitive, or other verbs).