fortify

Verb

Verb Forms: fortified, fortifying, fortifies

To strengthen against attack; to make robust.
make strong or stronger
enclose by or as if by a fortification
prepare oneself for a military confrontation
add nutrients to
add alcohol to (beverages)
To give power, strength, or vigour to (oneself or someone, or to something); to strengthen.
To support (one's or someone's opinion, statement, etc.) by producing evidence, etc.; to confirm, to corroborate.
To increase the nutritional value of (food) by adding ingredients, especially minerals or vitamins.
To impart fortitude or moral strength to (someone or their determination, or something); to encourage.
To make (something) defensible against attack by hostile forces.
To make (something) structurally strong; to strengthen.
To increase the defences of (an army, soldiers, etc.), or put (it or them) in a defensive position.
To secure and strengthen (a place, its walls, etc.) by installing fortifications or other military works.
To provide (a city, a fortress, an army, etc.) with equipment or soldiers.
To add spirits to (wine) to increase the alcohol content.
To install fortifications or other military works; also (sometimes figurative), to put up a defensive position.
To become strong; to strengthen.

Examples

She played ’FORTIFY’ on a double letter, aiming to strengthen her position on the board.
Sherry is made by fortifying wine.
Soy milk is often fortified with calcium.

Origin / Etymology

From Late Middle English fortifien, fortfien (“to strengthen (a castle, etc.) from attack; to strengthen (an army, etc.); to strengthen (a person), aid, support; to reinforce, support; to improve; to increase the efficacy of”), from Old French fortifier (modern French fortifier), from Late Latin fortificāre (“to strengthen, fortify”), from Latin fortis (“powerful, strong”) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *bʰerǵʰ- (“to ascend, rise up; to be elevated or up high”) or *dʰerǵʰ- (“to be firm; robust, strong”)) + -ficō (suffix forming causative or factitive, or other verbs).

Synonyms

arm, beef up, build up, fort, gird, lace, spike, strengthen

Antonyms

disarm, weaken

Scrabble Score: 16

fortify: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
fortify: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
fortify: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 15

fortify: valid Words With Friends Word