1
as in bracing
to prepare (oneself) mentally or emotionally
Kelly fortified herself for the basketball tournament with a series of confidence-boosting exercises
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in strengthening
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 hardening
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fortifying
The ensuing film combines soul with CGI, fortifying the lofty reputation Pixar had already built by 2001, just six years into its theatrical run.
—
Chris Snellgrove, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Dec. 2025
Instead of fortifying their position, the Pats watched while a few competitors stocked up around them.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 20 Dec. 2025
Brandon Bell / Getty Images Since then, people have been fortifying dike systems to contain the water, often building housing and industrial buildings as close to the edge as flood plain planners allow.
—Evan Bush, NBC news, 16 Dec. 2025
From fortifying diagnostic accuracy to filling up electronic medical records (EMRs), AI is helping to ease the workload of healthcare professionals worldwide.
—Angelica Ang, Fortune, 21 Nov. 2025
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman also noted that the team is interested in fortifying the rotation with Carlos Rodón and Gerrit Cole slated to miss the start of the year.
—Aaliyan Mohammed, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2025
Pore space creates essential tunnels for nutrients, water, and oxygen to move in the soil, further fortifying the roots and boosting plant growth.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Nov. 2025
The problem with that is that good teams — the winning franchises — build their teams inside-out by fortifying the offensive and defensive lines, which just happen to be the areas of weakness this season.
—Omar Kelly
november 7, Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
Welle works with residents on fortifying their property through Firewise, a voluntary program.
—Judith Kohler, Denver Post, 7 Nov. 2025
Chris Snellgrove, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Dec. 2025
Instead of fortifying their position, the Pats watched while a few competitors stocked up around them.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 20 Dec. 2025
Brandon Bell / Getty Images Since then, people have been fortifying dike systems to contain the water, often building housing and industrial buildings as close to the edge as flood plain planners allow.
—Evan Bush, NBC news, 16 Dec. 2025
From fortifying diagnostic accuracy to filling up electronic medical records (EMRs), AI is helping to ease the workload of healthcare professionals worldwide.
—Angelica Ang, Fortune, 21 Nov. 2025
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman also noted that the team is interested in fortifying the rotation with Carlos Rodón and Gerrit Cole slated to miss the start of the year.
—Aaliyan Mohammed, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2025
Pore space creates essential tunnels for nutrients, water, and oxygen to move in the soil, further fortifying the roots and boosting plant growth.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Nov. 2025
The problem with that is that good teams — the winning franchises — build their teams inside-out by fortifying the offensive and defensive lines, which just happen to be the areas of weakness this season.
—Omar Kelly
november 7, Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
Welle works with residents on fortifying their property through Firewise, a voluntary program.
—Judith Kohler, Denver Post, 7 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fortifying
Verb
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With the climate crisis only deepening each year, throwing natural cycles and seasons into disarray, Japan is now bracing for future spikes in human-bear encounters each fall and spring.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
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The couple and another teen riding with the girl snapped into action and reached over to grab onto her for the duration of the ride, each bracing hard against the car as the ride zoomed at highway speeds through its hills, drops and turns.—
Nathan Pilling,
Kansas City Star,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The Corps proposed strengthening the bank by implementing riprap, or rocks.—
Ishani Desai,
Sacbee.com,
8 Nov. 2025
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According to the National Weather Service, a strengthening cold front is making its way across the country toward Nashville.—
Diana Leyva,
Nashville Tennessean,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fortifying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fortifying. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
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