FORTIFY Synonyms: 86 Similar and Opposite Words

fortify

verb

ˈfȯr-tə-ˌfī

Definition of fortify

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of fortify MonthiraYodtiwong/Getty Images Few sources of income are as legally fortified as a federal disability check. — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 22 June 2026 All of this came after Florida’s four trades for star forward Brady Tkachuk, starting goaltender Jacob Markstrom, backup goaltender Akira Schmid and fourth-line forward Garnet Hathaway to fortify what on paper was already a stout roster. — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 1 July 2026 Formerly the Vice President of Global Brand and Marketing at Amazon, Cheever is now fortifying Pinterest’s position at the intersection of culture, commerce, and technology. — Slma Shelbayah, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026 As the end of World War II approached and military victory was assured, FDR sought to fortify America’s triumph through diplomatic initiatives, including the establishment of the United Nations. — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 24 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for fortify

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fortify

Verb

The entire domestic box office was bracing for the Independence Day doldrums.

— Bethy Squires, Vulture, 5 July 2026
But true lambrusco, made in the Italian province of Emilia-Romagna is dry, bracing and delicately effervescent.

— Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 3 July 2026

Definition of brace

Verb

Manucurist formulates its masks with panthenol, a form of vitamin B5, to hydrate and strengthen dry nails over time, reducing breakage.

— Irene Richardson, InStyle, 4 July 2026
The only way to preserve our republic is to strengthen the pillars of our present with the mortar of our past.

— Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026

Definition of strengthen

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fortifies

fortify

fortifying

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“Fortify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fortify. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of fortify

verb

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