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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fortifying
The five-day trade fair draws Black businesspersons from dozens of states fortifying Jackson’s assertion that economic development is the way to Black power.
—
Darcel Rockett, Chicago Tribune, 17 Feb. 2026
If healthy, Burrow (5-3 as a starter in 2025) will help significantly elevate the Bengals, as will a free agency and draft devoted to fortifying the defense.
—Mike Jones, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2026
Sandoval was one of about 90 people who participated in a January 2026 whistle-kit building event with the aim of setting up and fortifying a system to alert metro Detroit community members to the presence of immigration agents.
—Darcie Moran, Freep.com, 5 Feb. 2026
In public, Newsom speaks often and openly about his errors, fortifying his image as a bumptious, slightly hapless victim of his own enthusiasms.
—Nathan Heller, New Yorker, 1 Feb. 2026
Canada’s defense commitment Canada has spent nearly a billion dollars fortifying its southern border.
—Paula Newton, CNN Money, 20 Jan. 2026
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
Darcel Rockett, Chicago Tribune, 17 Feb. 2026
If healthy, Burrow (5-3 as a starter in 2025) will help significantly elevate the Bengals, as will a free agency and draft devoted to fortifying the defense.
—Mike Jones, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2026
Sandoval was one of about 90 people who participated in a January 2026 whistle-kit building event with the aim of setting up and fortifying a system to alert metro Detroit community members to the presence of immigration agents.
—Darcie Moran, Freep.com, 5 Feb. 2026
In public, Newsom speaks often and openly about his errors, fortifying his image as a bumptious, slightly hapless victim of his own enthusiasms.
—Nathan Heller, New Yorker, 1 Feb. 2026
Canada’s defense commitment Canada has spent nearly a billion dollars fortifying its southern border.
—Paula Newton, CNN Money, 20 Jan. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fortifying
Verb
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These were claps of relief and encouragement from a European audience bracing for a mauling like JD Vance’s onslaught last year.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
15 Feb. 2026
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The county’s already bracing for impact.—
Rebecca Ellis,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The collaboration between Fincantieri and Generative Bionics also holds strategic importance in strengthening European technological sovereignty by drawing on expertise developed across research institutions and the advanced industrial supply chain.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Feb. 2026
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The audit also recommends the city aim to boost the value of its golf properties by strengthening its evaluations of course operators, studying revenue trends, inspecting courses more frequently and requiring operators to pay for renovations.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fortifying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fortifying. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.
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