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 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 Now Boggs, Wade, and Richardson are venturing into the maelstrom of publication together, fortified by friendship. Megan Marshall september 25, Literary Hub, 25 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fortify
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fortify
Verb
  • Wooden vessels for polar exploration typically reinforced the hulls internally with diagonal support beams, which braced the sides of the ship against lateral compression from powerful sea ice, said Tuhkuri, who researches the mechanics of ice.
    Mindy Weisberger, CNN Money, 6 Oct. 2025
  • On October 4, the 33-year-old pop star shared a clip that has fans bracing for more Taylor Swift discourse.
    Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 5 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Nevertheless, the stadium had by then become synonymous with big football occasions — a status that was only strengthened by three European Cup finals being staged between 1963 and 1971.
    Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Regional lenders have been under pressure after last year's banking turmoil, prompting mergers aimed at strengthening balance sheets and expanding into faster-growing markets.
    Alexander Coolidge, Cincinnati Enquirer, 6 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Rabat has prioritized readying the country to host matches for the 2030 Men’s soccer World Cup at the expense of greater investment in social services, demonstrators say.
    Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Earlier this week, Maduro signed constitutional decrees to ready the country’s security powers to defend itself in case of an attack.
    Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 3 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fortify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fortify. Accessed 9 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!