fortress

Definition of fortressnext
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

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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 Here is how the fortress goes together, in the order a founder should build it. Kyle Westaway, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026 While typical apparel brands struggle with changing seasonal trends and thin profits, giants such as LVMH, Christian Dior, Hermès, Richemont and Nike have built financial fortresses. Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 29 June 2026 Alexander the Great conquered it in 332 BCE after building a causeway to what had been considered an impregnable island fortress. Jane Arraf, NPR, 23 June 2026 Some, like France's Maginot Line, became border fortresses stretching for miles, while German coastal defenses sat on the cliffs of Normandy, requiring the Allies to take out with sea bombardments and direct infantry assaults. David Szondy june 23, New Atlas, 23 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for fortress
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fortress
Noun
  • History fans should look out for the climb up to the Château de Montségur, once a stronghold of the Cathar religious rebels, and scene of a bloody siege in 1244.
    Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 1 July 2026
  • According to the indictment made public this week, the Hoovers had strongholds over specific hotels and motels in their territory, including the Stadium Inn & Spas.
    Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
Noun
  • One of the oldest citadels in the Middle East, Jerash has seen an unbroken chain of human occupation since the Bronze Age.
    Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 3 June 2026
  • Paton, 52, was in Peru with his wife to hike the Inca Trail, a popular route that ends at Machu Picchu, a citadel built by the Incas in the 15th century.
    Sam Peters, CNN Money, 22 May 2026
Noun
  • By the Second World War, pillboxes had become standard defense fortifications.
    David Szondy June 23, New Atlas, 23 June 2026
  • During Fascism, the first fortification works arose, but also roads, houses, schools, a hospital.
    Marzio G. Mian, Vanity Fair, 16 June 2026
Noun
  • Earlier this week, Daniel Bishop, Jim Bishop's son and the caretaker of Bishop Castle, was seriously injured while working on a structure next to the castle.
    Christa Swanson, CBS News, 28 June 2026
  • Two years ago, the Man City phenom appeared in a 90-second spot for the game that saw him get recruited to storm a castle teeming with goblins, dragons and impish skeletons.
    Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 26 June 2026
Noun
  • Because Cook County and the city of Chicago remain a Democratic bastion, new voters will not have the choice of getting new ideas or a fresh set of eyes from an independent or a Republican candidate.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 26 June 2026
  • These organizations claim to be bastions of journalism, Defenders of Democracy, and heroes in the fight for truth in government.
    Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 22 June 2026
Noun
  • Washington and his men had left the fort heading west toward the sounds of gunfire.
    Salena Zito, Washington Post, 1 July 2026
  • Background and conception Roughs Tower, or HM Fort Roughs, was originally built in 1942, one in a series of large sea forts built in the North Sea by Great Britain during World War II.
    Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Fortress.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fortress. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.

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