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'.
fortify, congest, exacerbate, marshal, dampen: meanings and examples
Learn these 5 words from SAT Vocabulary Level 2 set 184. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.
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.