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
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
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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fortifying
Verb
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But as the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season nears, many Floridians are bracing for the storm, and that includes buying a hurricane preparedness kit, getting the hurricane shutters out of the garage, and/or devising what to do with your car.—
Jennifer Sangalang,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Companies, however, appear to be bracing for the ripple effects of the disruptions; at least 21 firms have withdrawn or reduced financial guidance since the war began, and 32 have signaled price hikes, Reuters reported.—
Semafor Events,
semafor.com,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Microsoft committed $10 billion in 2023, strengthening OpenAI’s commercial expansion.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Apr. 2026
-
That includes supporting fuel supply and infrastructure, developing pilot and demonstration projects, strengthening port-to-port data connectivity, and promoting interoperability, cybersecurity and common standards.—
Jennifer Bringle,
Footwear News,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fortifying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fortifying. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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