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
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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
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fortify
Canada’s defense commitment Canada has spent nearly a billion dollars fortifying its southern border.
—
Paula Newton, CNN Money, 20 Jan. 2026
The sparkling Sun turns on the lights in your 4th House of Nesting, inviting you to fortify your base with practical moves.
—Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 19 Jan. 2026
The project seeks to fortify major infrastructure to spur an economic renaissance based on boosting jobs in the artificial intelligence, semiconductor manufacturing, and energy sectors.
—Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 17 Jan. 2026
The economic cost is caused by losses in the fishing industry, damage to coastal communities and impacts to systems that help fortify those communities, like mangroves and reefs.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 15 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fortify
Paula Newton, CNN Money, 20 Jan. 2026
The sparkling Sun turns on the lights in your 4th House of Nesting, inviting you to fortify your base with practical moves.
—Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 19 Jan. 2026
The project seeks to fortify major infrastructure to spur an economic renaissance based on boosting jobs in the artificial intelligence, semiconductor manufacturing, and energy sectors.
—Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 17 Jan. 2026
The economic cost is caused by losses in the fishing industry, damage to coastal communities and impacts to systems that help fortify those communities, like mangroves and reefs.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 15 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fortify
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fortify
Verb
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Many farmers are now bracing to potentially lose money for a fourth consecutive year.—
Tom Polansek,
Reuters,
4 Feb. 2026
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Post employees had been bracing for widespread layoffs for several weeks.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN Money,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Reporting to Fabien Westerhoff, who heads the company’s theatrical arm, Teste will oversee Global Constellation’s worldwide sales operations, working closely with distributors and talent agencies to further strengthen the company’s position in the global marketplace.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
6 Feb. 2026
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Of course, once Carey got her hands on one of her signature whistle notes (those really, really high pitches that very few singers can achieve) her voice strengthened, if not her performance demeanor, which remain staid and almost nervous and uncomfortable throughout.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Research has long shown that a constantly percolating stress response strains practically every body part, particularly your heart, which pumps harder and faster to ready you for action.—
Erica Sloan,
SELF,
5 Feb. 2026
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As well as cheeky possums and young kestrels readying to make their first flight, this year’s gallery also includes images that ask bigger questions about the human impact on the planet.—
Charlotte Reck,
CNN Money,
4 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fortify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fortify. Accessed 8 Feb. 2026.
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