fortifies

verb

present tense third-person singular of fortify
1
as in braces
to prepare (oneself) mentally or emotionally Kelly fortified herself for the basketball tournament with a series of confidence-boosting exercises

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2
as in strengthens
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

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3
as in hardens
to make able to withstand physical hardship, strain, or exposure bought lots of warm clothing to fortify ourselves against the cold

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of fortifies The additional financing fortifies its position as one of two investors alongside the Ellison family controlling Paramount’s voting stock. — Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026 The addition of cotton and raw material-producing countries like Egypt and Ethiopia further fortifies a strong sourcing platform that already includes manufacturing giants India and China. — Mayu Saini, Footwear News, 14 Sep. 2026 Defensively, the return of Daley and Wyatt fortifies a line that already had two other starters back in Mario Landino and Tyrique Tucker. — Michael Marot, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026 Inside, soy proteins repair and strengthen, copper peptides stimulate keratin production–aka the protein that fortifies and minimizes frizz–and pro-B vitamins amplify fullness. — Ellie Davis, Vogue, 25 June 2026 The Olive and June product can also be applied daily to bare nails as an intensive strengthening treatment that not only fortifies your claws, but also repairs ridges, discoloration, and pesky peeling along the way. — Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 3 June 2026 The Plumb Club is involved in this effort because presenting third-party assurances of an item’s sourcing and production history builds customer trust, drives sales and thus fortifies the gem, jewelry and watch industries. — Kyle Roderick, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026 What fortifies it the most is an appearance from Williams’ grandfather midway through the song. — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 2 May 2026 Excited yet anxious over the prospect of reconnecting with the man that got away, the pair fortifies themselves with cocktails and bubbly during a boozy dinner. — Brent Lang, Variety, 20 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fortifies
  1. braces
  2. strengthens
  3. readies
Verb
  • Top stories Fires Crews are battling a fire in Malibu as SoCal braces for another day of Santa Ana winds.
    — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
  • This year’s event was as much about celebration as collaboration, defined by a spirit of togetherness for an industry that braces for the uncertain road ahead.
    — Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of braces
Verb
  • If any of the storms intensify and rotation strengthens, a warning may need to be issued.
    — NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 11 Oct. 2026
  • This recognition further strengthens the ongoing collaboration between the Saudi Fashion Commission and Istituto Marangoni, established through a memorandum of understanding signed in 2024.
    — Andrea Onate, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of strengthens
Verb
  • Now with almost two years under de La Faverie’s belt, Zannino laid out the priorities for the year ahead as the enterprise readies itself for the future.
    — Jenny B. Fine, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The battery charges itself, and the primer pump readies the carb before starting.
    — Caleb Jacobs, The Drive, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of readies

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Cite this Entry

“Fortifies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fortifies. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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