| Main Entry: | fortify |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | make strong and secure; add to |
Synonyms: |
brace, build up, bulwark, buttress, charge up, consolidate, embattle, entrench, garrison, gird, prepare, prop, protect, punch up, ready, reinforce, secure, shore up, soup up, steel*, step up, strengthen, support |
Antonyms: |
decrease, hurt, injure, weaken |
| Main Entry: | fortify |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | encourage, reassure |
Synonyms: |
arouse, brace, buck up, build up, cheer, confirm, embolden, energize, enliven, hearten, invigorate, pour it on, punch up, rally, refresh, reinforce, renew, restore, rouse, stiffen, stir, strengthen, sustain |
Antonyms: |
discourage, dissuade, weaken |
| Main Entry: | arm |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | equip with weapon or power |
Synonyms: |
accouter, appoint, array, deck, equalize, fortify, furnish, gear, gird, guard, heel up, heel, issue, load, load up, lug iron, make ready, mobilize, outfit, pack, pack a rod, prepare, prime, protect, provide, rig, rod up, strengthen, supply, tote |
Antonyms: |
disarm |
| Main Entry: | barricade |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | block, usually to protect |
Synonyms: |
bar, blockade, defend, fortify, obstruct, shut in |
Antonyms: |
allow, open |
| Main Entry: | brace |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | support |
Synonyms: |
bandage, bind, bolster, buttress, fasten, fortify, gird, hold up, prepare, prop, ready, reinforce, shove, steady, steel, strap, strengthen, support, tie, tighten, uphold |
Antonyms: |
let go, loosen, unfasten |
| Main Entry: | build up |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | amplify, advertise |
Synonyms: |
add to, boost, develop, enhance, expand, extend, fortify, heighten, hype, improve, increase, intensify, plug*, promote, publicize, puff, reinforce, spotlight, strengthen |
Antonyms: |
lessen, let down, play down, weaken |
| Main Entry: | confirm |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | reinforce |
Synonyms: |
assure, buttress, clinch, establish, fix, fortify, invigorate, make firm, settle, strengthen |
| Notes: | corroborate is used in a narrower context, usually by way of providing support for testimony in a legal proceeding; confirm is to lend support to a much wider array of things |
Antonyms: |
contradict, deny, destroy, oppose, repudiate, void |
| Main Entry: | consolidate |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | combine; make firm |
Synonyms: |
add to, amalgamate, amass, band, bind, blend, build up, bunch up, cement, centralize, compact, compound, concatenate, concentrate, condense, conjoin, connect, densen, develop, federate, fortify, fuse, harden, hitch, hitch on, hook up with, incorporate, join, league, mass, meld, mix, plug into, pool, reinforce, render solid, secure, set, slap on, solidify, stabilize, strengthen, tack on, tag on, team up with, thicken, throw in together, tie in, tie up with, unify |
Antonyms: |
disjoin, disperse, divide, part, separate |
| Main Entry: | contribute |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | be partly responsible for |
Synonyms: |
add to, advance, aid, assist, augment, be conducive, be instrumental, conduce, do one's bit, finger in the pie, fortify, get in the act, have a hand in, help, lead, put in two cents, redound, reinforce, sit in on, strengthen, supplement, support, tend, uphold |
Antonyms: |
counteract, disapprove, neglect, shun, withhold |
| Main Entry: | defend |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | protect |
Synonyms: |
avert, battle, beat off, bulwark, care for, cherish, conserve, contend, cover, entrench, espouse, fend off, fight, fight for, fortify, foster, garrison, guard, guard against, hedge, hold, hold at bay, house, insure, keep safe, look after, maintain, mine, nourish, oppose, panoply, preserve, prevent, provide sanctuary, repel danger, resist, retain, safeguard, save, screen, secure, shelter, shield, stave off, sustain, take in, uphold, war, ward off, watch, watch over, withstand |
Antonyms: |
abandon, attack, desert, leave, quit, relinquish, resign, surrender |