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

The dispute unfolds as North Korea fortifies the already heavily armed frontier and both sides trade accusations, with diplomacy stalled and Seoul’s military vowing a firm response. — Kim Tong-Hyung, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026

The shampoo nourishes the scalp with panthenol and niacinamide, while the conditioner fortifies strands with lipids for thicker-looking hair that resists breakage. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 21 Oct. 2026

Tensions between North and South Korea have risen since Pyongyang began fortifying its border in April 2024. — Reuters, NBC news, 21 Oct. 2026

Tensions between North and South Korea have risen since Pyongyang began fortifying its ‌border ⁠in April 2024. — Reuters, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2026