Underfortify

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. To strengthen a structure or position inadequately so it remains vulnerable to attack or failure
2. To reinforce a place or object with less protection than necessary, causing weakness in defense
3. To supply less fortification than required, resulting in a defenseless or weak state

Etymology: "Underfortify" is a plain compound: the prefix "under-", meaning insufficiently or too little, attached to "fortify". The verb "fortify" itself comes from Latin "fortificare", built from "fortis" (strong) and "facere" (to make), so the whole word is a strong-making idea reversed into not-strong-enough. The "under-" prefix is one of English's most productive, able to attach to almost any verb to mean "not enough" or "beneath". "Underfortify" follows this pattern exactly, so its meaning can be worked out from its parts: to fortify below the level needed for safety or defence.

Synonyms: weaken, undermine, neglect fortification, fail to strengthen

Antonyms: fortify, strengthen, reinforce, bolster, secure