What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
fortify
Example
The walls were fortified with extra layers of concrete to withstand earthquakes. [fortified: past participle]
Example
The cereal was fortified with vitamins and minerals to promote good health. [fortify: verb]
Example
The army was sent to fortify the border against potential invaders. [fortify: verb]
reinforce
Example
The bridge was reinforced with steel beams to prevent collapse. [reinforced: past participle]
Example
The professor reinforced her argument with data from recent studies. [reinforce: verb]
Example
The general decided to reinforce the front lines with additional troops. [reinforce: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Reinforce is more commonly used than fortify in everyday language. Reinforce is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while fortify is less common and is typically used in the context of food and drink.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between fortify and reinforce?
Both fortify and reinforce can be used in formal and informal contexts, but fortify may be more associated with technical or scientific language due to its use in the context of food and nutrition.
