1
2
as in to strengthen
to increase the ability of (as a muscle) to exert physical force he downed another granola bar to fortify himself for the rest of the bike ride

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of fortify Install storm shutters and stormproof glass in your windows, and fortify caulking and sealing around the house, including around pipes. Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025 Stay Up to Date on Vaccinations Staying up to date on vaccinations is key to fortify the immune system. Jocelyn Solis-Moreira, Flow Space, 30 Sep. 2025 Once that decision is made, Posey and the rest of the Giants’ brass will shift its attention to fortifying their roster, generally, and their pitching depth, specifically. Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 29 Sep. 2025 The two have bonded over their desire to get better and their tireless work ethics, and that relationship has only been fortified as the years have progressed. Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 28 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fortify
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fortify
Verb
  • Lawmakers are bracing for another Senate vote attempting to end the government shutdown as the impact of funding drying up continues to ripple across the country nearly two weeks into the standoff.
    Bart Jansen, USA Today, 13 Oct. 2025
  • American consumers who have come to expect an endless supply of cheap goods that roll off Chinese conveyor belts are bracing for higher prices.
    Jason Ma, Fortune, 12 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Ukrainian leader Zelenskyy said in his nightly address Sunday that Kyiv was working closely with the White House to strengthen its defensive capabilities, including its long-range capabilities.
    Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2025
  • Oakland voters, meanwhile, overwhelmingly favored establishing the commission in 2016 and strengthening its authority in 2020.
    Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 13 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The officer recalled that they had been ordered to ready themselves for a counterattack.
    Danny Makki, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Craft beer aficionados have a new destination on the horizon as the Brass Tap will open its first Orange County location, readying to pour a roster of local suds in Anaheim Hills.
    Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 16 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fortify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fortify. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on fortify

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!