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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
-
Guatemala City — In the bracing morning air, workers leave their homes in the outer suburbs and hurry toward the industrial buildings lining the Guatemalan capital’s highways.—
Ladan Anoushfar,
CNN Money,
18 Oct. 2025
-
But next year, the Galls, who live in Meridian, Idaho, are bracing for their costs to grow significantly.—
Greg Iacurci,
CNBC,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The United States and Australia on Monday unveiled a landmark agreement to boost critical minerals and rare earths projects, aiming to reduce reliance on China and strengthen defense and tech supply chains.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
21 Oct. 2025
-
With trust and engagement at an all-time low, companies need to help leaders strengthen human skills such as self-awareness, clear communication, and compassion.—
Rasmus Hougaard,
Harvard Business Review,
20 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
Cite this Entry
“Fortify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fortify. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share