as in stronghold
a structure or place from which one can resist attack
the boys built a snow fortress and then challenged the neighborhood kids to an in-your-face snowball fight
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of fortress
No such fortress for the federal and state officials who face growing number of threats in communities across the country.
—
CBS News, 26 Apr. 2026
For this heinous crime, Brennick receives a punishing sentence at the futuristic, high-tech fortress prison run by the nefarious Men-Tel Corporation.
—Sergio Pereira, Space.com, 25 Apr. 2026
Over the years, the former bank data processing center near Hartford’s minor league ballpark deservedly earned the moniker of bunker-like fortress — but never more so than now when the city wants to tear it down for redevelopment.
—Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 24 Apr. 2026
Alcatraz began as a military fortress and lighthouse, then became a military prison, converted to civilian use in 1933.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fortress
CBS News, 26 Apr. 2026
For this heinous crime, Brennick receives a punishing sentence at the futuristic, high-tech fortress prison run by the nefarious Men-Tel Corporation.
—Sergio Pereira, Space.com, 25 Apr. 2026
Over the years, the former bank data processing center near Hartford’s minor league ballpark deservedly earned the moniker of bunker-like fortress — but never more so than now when the city wants to tear it down for redevelopment.
—Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 24 Apr. 2026
Alcatraz began as a military fortress and lighthouse, then became a military prison, converted to civilian use in 1933.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fortress
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fortress
Noun
-
Goldbug ideology has received an intellectual sheen from places like George Mason University, a libertarian stronghold, where the Koch brothers have invested millions of dollars into research, including on gold and cryptocurrency.—
Jennifer Wilson,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
-
Even if the White House is a stronghold, it is not meant to look like one.—
Neil Flanagan,
The Atlantic,
2 May 2026
Noun
-
During the 25 years that consumed the back half of the 1950s and every bit of the 60s and 70s, Orange County shed the last remnants of its agrarian roots to become ground zero for that uniquely American citadel of consumption: The shopping mall.—
Byron De Arakal,
Oc Register,
3 May 2026
-
In 1928, the original owners took over a hotel that was mere feet across one of the narrow cobblestone streets that make up the citadel and added 48, keeping the neo-Gothic style, including pretty leaded windows.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Since then, excavations have yielded numerous stone cannonballs near the site of what was once the city’s southern fortification wall.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Covering the sarcophagus Yellow daffodils bloom beside wartime fortifications at the Chernobyl plant as workers in ordinary clothes, with badges and special permits, pass through the restricted zone.—
Hanna Arhirova,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter’s landmark castle, which acts as a screen for the production, has been in refurbishment — with scaffolding and tarp obscuring the view.—
Dewayne Bevil,
The Orlando Sentinel,
1 May 2026
-
The Academy Award winner famously bought castles in England and Germany, an island in the Bahamas and a mansion in New Orleans, Louisiana, that is said to be haunted.—
Ashley Hume,
FOXNews.com,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
Climb the 900-odd steps (or cop out in a car) for a walk through its eight baroque bastions and some breathtaking views.—
Helen Brown,
TheWeek,
30 Apr. 2026
-
For more than a hundred years, the place has functioned as a crucial cultural bastion, hosting speakers like James Baldwin, Gwendolyn Brooks, and Allen Ginsberg.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Even populous British colonies like Virginia and Pennsylvania grew blurry on their western frontiers, where indistinct borders were protected by a few lonely forts.—
Daniel Immerwahr,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
-
Zaragoza stationed his men on the high ground, hidden behind cacti, behind walls of dilapidated forts, in ditches.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
4 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fortress.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fortress. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
