Synonyms of fortify

fortify

verb

ˈfȯr-tə-ˌfī 

1

as in to brace

to prepare (oneself) mentally or emotionally

Kelly fortified herself for the basketball tournament with a series of confidence-boosting exercises

Synonyms & Similar Words

• brace
• strengthen
• ready
• nerve
• steel
• reinforce
• bolster
• enforce
• forearm
• poise
• psych (up)
• arm
• sustain
• buttress
• encourage
• inure
• harden
• comfort
• inspire
• rouse
• support
• boost
• toughen
• season
• stir
• embolden
• hearten
• rally
• prop (up)
• buoy (up)
• cheer (up)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• shake
• discourage
• demoralize
• undermine
• daunt
• unnerve
• weaken
• dishearten
• soften
• undercut
• dispirit
• debilitate
• psych (out)
• sap
• enfeeble
• prostrate
• tire
• enervate

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

• strengthen
• harden
• toughen
• beef (up)
• energize
• invigorate
• vitalize
• temper
• tone (up)
• anneal
• firm (up)
• restrengthen

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• weaken
• hurt
• impair
• injure
• paralyze
• cripple
• harm
• damage
• debilitate
• enervate
• undermine
• enfeeble
• incapacitate
• wear out
• undercut
• break down
• sap

3

as in to harden

to make able to withstand physical hardship, strain, or exposure

bought lots of warm clothing to fortify ourselves against the cold

Synonyms & Similar Words

• strengthen
• harden
• inure
• steel
• toughen
• bolster
• adjust
• reinforce
• adapt
• season
• indurate
• invigorate
• vitalize
• acclimate
• enforce
• brace
• immunize
• buttress
• acclimatize
• temper
• anneal
• boost
• accustom
• support
• condition
• habituate
• naturalize
• break in
• train
• prop (up)
• forearm
• limber (up)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• soften
• weaken
• exhaust
• emasculate
• sap
• cripple
• incapacitate
• sensitize
• hamstring
• enervate
• enfeeble
• debilitate

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of fortify

Missile silos are fortified underground launch facilities designed to house intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs). — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 2 Aug. 2026

Both Ceuta and Melilla are heavily fortified, and many migrants who arrive in the enclaves are immediately turned back. — Kerry Breen, CBS News, 31 July 2026

If mushrooms aren’t your favorite, foods like trout, salmon, and fortified milk can help meet daily vitamin D needs. — Joy Emeh, HEALTH, 28 July 2026

Paramount now must strengthen its case for a high-stakes trial while fortifying Paramount’s existing businesses and managing uncertainty among the employee base. — Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 25 July 2026