fortify

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'fortify' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe a situation in which something is made stronger or more secure. Example sentence: The city's walls were fortified to protect it from enemy attack.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

The Economist

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But the students' union warned that such high prices would "fortify the barriers to entry in higher education for those from less wealthy backgrounds".

The Guardian

Homeowners and merchants are already using sand and bags left over from last year to fortify their own properties.

The Guardian

He remained the same character who, during the 1977 Ulster workers' strike, would step on to a London-Belfast flight laden with loaves of sliced bread for strikebound neighbours at home and fortify himself with miniature bottles of gin during the journey.

The Guardian

Visiting the settlement at Har Homa, Netanyahu vowed to preserve Jerusalem's unity "in all its parts" and said he would "continue to build and fortify" the city to prevent any future division.

The Guardian

And in a last-minute deal the bill added another $46 billion (up from $8 billion in the original version) to fortify the Mexican border, which is already bristling with fences, armed guards and drones, and to beef up systems for checking that firms do not hire illegal workers.

The Economist

The third is that people use it to heighten or fortify natural scent, and thus advertise sexual attractiveness or availability.All three theories could be true.

The Economist

But St John-Stevas was willing to fortify tradition with a dose of progress, says Lord Lamont, a former chancellor of the exchequer and a friend for 40 years: "He was above all a Tory romantic.

The Economist

The firm, which controls perhaps 80% of all e-commerce in China, is expanding into ancillary areas to fortify its position.

The Economist

Instead he would triple the number of agents on the southern border, quadruple their fleets of helicopters and drones and complete a double-layer border fence: a plan to fortify the status quo.

The Economist

Allergy tests and desensitisation regimes if ordered by doctors, which is a big if identify and fortify the people most at risk.

The Economist

And sure enough, this week it was reported that India is to fortify 54 new border posts.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fortify" when you want to emphasize strengthening something against potential attacks or weaknesses. For example, "fortify" a border against invasion or "fortify" a claim with evidence.

Common error

Avoid using "fortify" in very casual conversations where simpler words like "strengthen" or "boost" might be more appropriate. "Fortify" often carries a more formal or strategic connotation.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "fortify" is as a verb. It describes the action of making something stronger or more secure. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it can refer to physical structures or abstract concepts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Formal & Business

13%

Science

14%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the verb "fortify" is a versatile word used to describe the act of making something stronger or more secure. As demonstrated by Ludwig, its usage spans from physical structures to abstract ideas. While grammatically correct and widely used, it's best suited for neutral to formal contexts. Semantically related alternatives include "strengthen", "reinforce", and "bolster". Remember to use "fortify" when you want to emphasize enhancing resistance or security against potential threats.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

strengthen

A general term for making something more powerful or resilient.

reinforce

Focuses on adding extra support to something that is already in place.

bolster

Emphasizes providing support or reinforcement, often in a more direct or immediate way.

buttress

Suggests providing external support, often to prevent collapse.

consolidate

Implies making something more solid or stable, often through merging or combining elements.

shore up

Implies propping up something that is in danger of failing.

build up

Focuses on gradually increasing the strength or size of something.

secure

Focuses on making something safe and protected from threats.

toughen

Implies making something more resilient to difficult conditions.

harden

Suggests making something physically tougher or more resistant.

FAQs

How can I use "fortify" in a sentence?

You can use "fortify" to describe strengthening a physical structure (e.g., "They fortified the castle walls") or to describe strengthening something more abstract (e.g., "She fortified her argument with data").

What words can I use instead of "fortify"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "strengthen", "reinforce", "bolster", or "secure".

Is it correct to say "fortify myself with food"?

Yes, it is correct. "Fortify" can be used to mean strengthening oneself, often with food or drink, to prepare for a challenge or task. For example, "I need to fortify myself with a good breakfast before the marathon."

What's the difference between "fortify" and "enhance"?

"Fortify" implies strengthening something against potential weaknesses or attacks, while "enhance" means to improve or make something better. You "fortify" a border; you "enhance" a product's features.