fortifies

Builds up defenses

Fortifies means strengthens or reinforces.

A wall fortifies a city against attack.

Vitamins fortify cereal—fortified with iron and B12.

Courage fortifies resolve.

A stiff drink fortifies the nerves before a difficult conversation.

The word carries a sense of building up defenses or resources against challenge or depletion.

structural

strengthens

Increases force or durability

shores up · braces · secures · hardens · armors · barricades · ramparts · battlements · citadel · bastion

emotional

emboldens

Makes brave enough to act

resolves · steadies · nerves · courage · determination · confidence · willpower · conviction · reassures · inspires

nutritional

enriches

Adds quality or worth

vitamins · minerals · iron · calcium · nutrients · cereals · flour · milk · bread · additives

alcoholic

spirits

Liquor or apparitions

  • brandySpirit from fermented fruit
  • sherryFortified wine from Spain
  • portDocking place for ships

madeira · marsala · vermouth · wine · distilled · liquor · aperitif · digestif · dessert wine · alcohol content

Categories
Opposites
physical strength/structural integrity

fortifiesweakens

Reduces strength or power

undermines · enfeebles · destroys · debilitates · demolishes

mental/emotional resilience

fortifiesdemoralizes

Destroys confidence or hope

disheartens · dispirits · discourages · unnerves · deflates

nutritional/health enhancement

fortifiesdepletes

Uses until gone

dilutes · impoverishes · strips · drains · waters down

Phrases
Family

fortified, fortification, unfortified, fortifiable, fortifier, fortifiers

Familiarity
Top 100,000
Profile
Used worldwide · Timeless · Positive · Everyday, not technical · Rated G