Synonyms of fortifying

fortifying

verb

present participle of fortify

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

• bracing
• strengthening
• readying
• poising
• steeling
• reinforcing
• bolstering
• nerving
• arming
• forearming
• enforcing
• buttressing
• sustaining
• psyching (up)
• comforting
• inuring
• hardening
• toughening
• encouraging
• supporting
• boosting
• stirring
• rousing
• rallying
• inspiring
• seasoning
• emboldening
• propping (up)
• cheering (up)
• buoying (up)
• heartening

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• shaking
• discouraging
• demoralizing
• daunting
• undermining
• disheartening
• unnerving
• softening
• weakening
• sapping
• undercutting
• tiring
• dispiriting
• enervating
• debilitating
• psyching (out)
• prostrating
• enfeebling

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

• strengthening
• hardening
• toughening
• beefing (up)
• energizing
• tempering
• vitalizing
• invigorating
• annealing
• toning (up)
• firming (up)
• restrengthening

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• weakening
• crippling
• damaging
• impairing
• hurting
• debilitating
• injuring
• harming
• paralyzing
• undermining
• incapacitating
• enervating
• enfeebling
• undercutting
• breaking down
• wearing out
• sapping

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

• strengthening
• hardening
• adjusting
• inuring
• toughening
• bolstering
• steeling
• reinforcing
• adapting
• seasoning
• bracing
• indurating
• acclimating
• vitalizing
• enforcing
• invigorating
• buttressing
• tempering
• immunizing
• acclimatizing
• boosting
• annealing
• supporting
• conditioning
• habituating
• accustoming
• training
• naturalizing
• propping (up)
• breaking in
• limbering (up)
• forearming

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• softening
• weakening
• exhausting
• sapping
• enervating
• crippling
• debilitating
• incapacitating
• sensitizing
• emasculating
• enfeebling
• hamstringing

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of fortifying

Butka’s arrival continues a growing trend this offseason at Boise State, which is fortifying its inside game with taller, stronger bodies. —Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 29 Apr. 2026

Think of calcium as fortifying fertilizer for your bones. —Holly Carter, PEOPLE, 22 Apr. 2026

The serum is formulated with a holy grail powerhouse that consists of a fortifying complex, firming complex, and Matrixyl 3000—all pivotal for minimizing signs of aging. —Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 2 Apr. 2026

Analysts noted similar activity occurred before last year’s Operation Midnight Hammer strikes, suggesting a pattern of fortifying critical facilities in anticipation of attacks. —Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 12 Mar. 2026

Elevating their expertise and fortifying their decades-long involvement in the process of independent evaluation and guidance is critical to restore public trust in federal policymaking. —Jerome Adams, Fortune, 7 Mar. 2026

Iran already appears to be preparing for this option by fortifying its defenses around its nuclear assets, satellite images from Vantor indicate. —Nancy A. Youssef, The Atlantic, 21 Feb. 2026

As the United States continues a significant military buildup in the Middle East, Iran has taken steps to signal its readiness for war, including fortifying its nuclear sites and rebuilding missile production facilities. —Farida Elsebai, CNN Money, 20 Feb. 2026

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