1
Core action
Strengthen, reinforce, or protect something against damage, attack, weakness, or decline.
Example
Engineers fortified the wall with steel supports.
fortify
/ˈfɔːtɪfaɪ/ · FOR-tih-fyeverb
Strengthen, reinforce, or protect something against damage, attack, weakness, or decline.
Use fortify to express this relationship precisely: strengthen, reinforce, or protect something against damage, attack, weakness, or decline.
What fortify Really Means
The word becomes easier to use when its closely related senses are separated and compared.
2
Common construction
Use this expression in its normal grammatical frame so the relationship between the surrounding ideas remains explicit.
Example
Additional evidence fortified the historian's argument.
3
Reasoning effect
It tells the reader how to interpret the timing, scope, evidence, contrast, condition, or consequence in the statement.
Example
The programme aims to fortify coastal communities against flooding.
Use fortify Naturally
Notice how the surrounding noun or clause reveals the exact shade of meaning.
Engineers fortified the wall with steel supports.
Additional evidence fortified the historian's argument.
The programme aims to fortify coastal communities against flooding.
Precision Matters
Fortify overlaps with several common words, but each carries a different emphasis.
fortify
vs.Means strengthen, reinforce, or protect something against damage, attack, weakness, or decline.
bolster
Means to support, strengthen, or reinforce.
fortify
vs.Means strengthen, reinforce, or protect something against damage, attack, weakness, or decline.
buttress
Means to support, strengthen, or reinforce an argument or structure.
fortify
vs.Means strengthen, reinforce, or protect something against damage, attack, weakness, or decline.
undermine
Means to weaken, erode, or reduce confidence in something.
fortify
vs.Means strengthen, reinforce, or protect something against damage, attack, weakness, or decline.
deplete
Means to reduce the amount or supply of something, often substantially.
Test fortify in Context
The added supports strengthen and protect the tower.
1
Cross-bracing was added to ___ the tower against strong winds.