The military decided to fortify the borders with additional troops and barriers to prevent any invasions.
synonyms
strengthensecurereinforce
word origin — The word 'fortify' originates from the Old French 'fortifier', derived from the Latin 'fortificare', which is composed of 'fortis' meaning 'strong' and 'facere' meaning 'to make'.
SAT Vocabulary Level 2 — Set 184
Set 184 of SAT Vocabulary Level 2 covers 5 words: fortify, congest, exacerbate, marshal, dampen. Each entry below includes its definition, an example sentence, and synonyms — practice them with the interactive cards above.
fortify · verb/ˈfɔr.tɪ.faɪ/
to strengthen or secure a place against attack
The military decided to fortify the borders with additional troops and barriers to prevent any invasions.
Synonyms: strengthen, secure, reinforce
Origin: The word 'fortify' originates from the Old French 'fortifier', derived from the Latin 'fortificare', which is composed of 'fortis' meaning 'strong' and 'facere' meaning 'to make'.
congest · verb/kənˈdʒɛst/
to fill a space or area to an excessive degree causing blockage or hindrance
Traffic can easily congest the main road during rush hour, leading to long delays for commuters.
Synonyms: block, clog, obstruct
Origin: The word 'congest' originates from the Latin 'congestus', the past participle of 'congerere', meaning 'to bring together'.
exacerbate · verb/ɪɡˈzæs.ɚ.beɪt/
to make a problem, situation, or feeling worse
The ongoing protests could exacerbate tensions in the community, making it harder for leaders to find a peaceful resolution.
Synonyms: aggravate, intensify, worsen
Origin: from Latin 'exacerbāre', which means 'to make bitter'.
marshal · verb/ˈmɑr.ʃəl/
to arrange or organize in a systematic manner
The manager had to marshal the resources effectively to ensure the project was completed on time.
Synonyms: organize, arrange, systematize
Origin: Middle English 'mariscal', from Old French 'marescal', from Medieval Latin 'mariscalcus', of Germanic origin.
dampen · verb/ˈdæmpən/
to make something less strong or intense
The unexpected rain did little to dampen our spirits during the outdoor picnic.
Synonyms: diminish, lessen, weaken
Origin: Middle English; from dampen, diminutive of damp, possibly influenced by Old English 'dampian' meaning to make humid or moist.