Fortify: meaning, definitions and examples

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.