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Fortify Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

๐Ÿ’ช
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fortify

[หˆfษ”หtษชfaษช ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

drink

Strengthen (a drink) by adding alcohol or spirits. Make (a person or place) stronger or more secure.

Synonyms

reinforce, secure, strengthen.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
fortify

Used when describing the act of making something more secure, often in a military or defensive sense.

  • They fortified the walls to protect the city from invaders.
  • We need to fortify our cybersecurity measures against potential threats.
strengthen

General term used for making something stronger, can be applied in various physical and abstract contexts.

  • Regular exercise will strengthen your muscles.
  • We aim to strengthen our relationship with our partners.
reinforce

Commonly used when talking about adding strength or support to something that already exists.

  • The teacher reinforced the lesson with additional examples.
  • We need to reinforce the bridge to handle more traffic.
secure

Often used to indicate making something safe from danger, theft, or other forms of harm.

  • He secured the building for the night.
  • We need to secure the perimeter before proceeding.

Examples of usage

  • Would you like to fortify your coffee with a shot of whiskey?
  • The soldiers worked to fortify the castle walls before the enemy attack.
  • The residents fortified their homes against the storm by boarding up windows and doors.
Context #2 | Verb

mentally

Strengthen or invigorate (someone) mentally or physically.

Synonyms

empower, invigorate, strengthen.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
fortify

Use 'fortify' when you are talking about making something physically stronger, like a structure or defenses, or improving someoneโ€™s mental capacity.

  • They fortified the castle walls to protect against invaders.
  • She fortified herself with confidence before the big presentation.
invigorate

Use 'invigorate' when referring to giving energy or strength to someone or something, often used in more personal or physical contexts.

  • The fresh morning air invigorated her.
  • A good night's sleep can invigorate the mind.
strengthen

Use 'strengthen' when talking about making something stronger, whether it's physical strength, an argument, or a relationship.

  • They are working to strengthen the ties between the two countries.
  • Regular exercise will strengthen your muscles.
empower

Use 'empower' when you want to express giving someone the authority, power, or confidence to do something.

  • The new policies are designed to empower employees to make decisions.
  • She felt empowered after taking the leadership course.

Examples of usage

  • She fortified herself with positive affirmations before the job interview.
  • The coach's pep talk helped to fortify the team's confidence before the big game.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Military History

  • Throughout history, armies have fortified positions during battles to gain strategic advantages.
  • Famous fortifications, like the Great Wall of China, were designed to protect against invasions.
  • In World War II, cities like Stalingrad were heavily fortified to withstand sieges.

Nutrition

  • In food science, 'fortifying' means adding nutrients to enhance a productโ€™s health value.
  • Common examples of fortified foods include cereals enriched with vitamins and minerals.
  • Fortifying foods helps combat health issues like anemia through added iron.

Architecture

  • Modern architecture often uses the concept of fortification in designing buildings that can withstand disasters.
  • In urban areas, fortified structures are essential in areas prone to natural disasters like earthquakes or floods.
  • Fortification techniques have evolved to integrate sustainability and resilience in building designs.

Psychology

  • In behavioral psychology, fortifying can refer to building emotional resilience or coping strategies.
  • Positive reinforcements can help 'fortify' one's mental health against stressors.
  • Teaching children stress management techniques is a way to fortify their emotional wellbeing.

Origin of 'fortify'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'fortificare', where 'fortis' means strong.
  • It entered the English language in the 14th century, referring originally to the act of strengthening defenses.
  • The evolution of the term often reflected military applications, such as reinforcing walls or structures.

The word 'fortify' originated from the Latin word 'fortificare', which means 'to make strong'. It first appeared in the English language in the 15th century. Initially used in the context of strengthening physical structures, the term later evolved to include mental or emotional strengthening. Throughout history, fortification has been essential for defense and protection, whether in the form of fortified castles or fortified drinks.

See also: fort, fortitude, fortnight, fortress, fortune, forty.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #18,950, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.