fortify

verb

for·ti·fy | \ ˈfȯr-tə-ˌfī

fortified; fortifying

Definition of fortify

transitive verb

: to make strong: such as

a : to strengthen and secure (a place, such as a town) by forts or batteries a city fortified by high walls

b : to give physical strength, courage, or endurance to fortified by a hearty meal

c : to add mental or moral strength to : encourage fortified by prayer fortified by early successes

d : to strengthen or enhance by the addition of some substance or ingredient: such as

(1) : to add distilled grape spirits to (wine) during fermentation to increase the alcohol content … both the red and white versions we get in this country have been American-made-from California wine fortified with a touch of brandy.— Jim Nelson

(2) : to enrich (food) by adding ingredients (such as vitamins or minerals) to improve the nutritional value … make sure any soy milk you buy is fortified with vitamin D, an essential nutrient for bone health.— Selene Yeager

intransitive verb

: to erect fortifications

Other Words from fortify Synonyms Did You Know? Example Sentences Learn More about fortify

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Did You Know?

Medieval cities were fortified against attack by high walls, and volunteers may fortify a levee against an overflowing river by means of sandbags. Foods can be fortified by adding vitamins, but "fortified wines", such as sherry and port, have brandy (a "stronger" drink) rather than vitamins added to them. By adopting good exercise habits, you can fortify your body against illness. And fortifying needn't always be physical. An author's reputation may be fortified by the success of his new book, or a prosecutor can fortify a case against a suspect by finding more evidence.

Examples of fortify in a Sentence

fortify a city against attack a city fortified by high walls Support for his theories has been fortified by the results of these experiments. He took a deep breath to fortify himself before stepping onto the stage. milk fortified with vitamin D

Recent Examples on the Web

In fairness, being plant-based, Impossible and Beyond incorporate fiber, which is nil in real beef, and are fortified with vitamins and minerals. — Wired, "Let's All Just Chill About Processed Foods," 9 Sep. 2019 With her draw and a few confidence-fortifying wins, look out. — Jon Wertheim, SI.com, "2019 Wimbledon Seed Reports," 28 June 2019 The metal ramp at the area was replaced with a concrete one, and the pier next to the ramp was fortified with more secure footing to the shore. — Jennifer Whidden, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "After $100,000 and a year of repairs, Waukesha County's School Section Lake is open again," 7 June 2019 One side is protected by a sheer cliff, and the other is strategically fortified with defensive terraces. — Nathaniel Scharping, Discover Magazine, "The Lost World of the Maya is Finally Emerging From the Jungle," 7 Feb. 2019 Indeed, some in our group settled for camping in the warm, dry tent, fortified by a chunk of hashish, and plenty of kids never made it to the site at all, turned back by the traffic or the dire warnings on the radio and in the newspapers. — Barbara Matson, BostonGlobe.com, "Off to Woodstock at 15, with friends, food, a tent, and no idea what was to come," 15 Aug. 2019 New Canaan sits at the end of a commuter-rail branch, latticed by stone walls and woods, fortified by strict zoning. — Sarah Schweitzer, The Atlantic, "The Lunch Ladies of New Canaan," 15 Aug. 2019 Ajloun Castle, built on the mountaintop site of a former Christian monastery in the north of Jordan, was enlarged and fortified by a general of the great military leader Saladin, as a citadel for defending Islamic lands from the Crusaders. — Andrew Solomon, Condé Nast Traveler, "Traveling Through Jordan’s Historic Ruins, Red Dunes, and Dead Sea," 24 July 2019 At one game, Paul sat next to James’s wife, Savannah, and the couple’s young daughter in a corner of the gym that was near an exit and well fortified by security guards. — New York Times, "LeBron James Jr. Is 14. He Already Draws Curious Crowds.," 16 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'fortify.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.