bulwark

noun bul·wark \ ˈbu̇l-(ˌ)wərk , -ˌwȯrk ; ˈbəl-(ˌ)wərk ; sense 3 also ˈbə-ˌläk \

Updated on: 15 May 2018

Definition of bulwark

1 a : a solid wall-like structure raised for defense : rampart

b : breakwater, seawall

building a bulwark in the harbor

2 : a strong support or protection

democratic principles that stand as a bulwark against tyranny

a bulwark of freedom

3 nautical : the side of a ship above the upper deck —usually used in plural

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Examples of bulwark in a Sentence

democratic principles that stand as a bulwark against tyranny

Recent Examples of bulwark from the Web

The Writ of Habeas Corpus requires the government to explain to a neutral judge its justification for holding a person in custody and is regarded as a bulwark against abuse of power by the executive branch of government.

— david owens, courant.com, "Connecticut Courts Overwhelmed With Inmates' Petitions For Release," 11 May 2018
Anti-American cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, whose fighters clashed with U.S. troops after Saddam Hussein was driven from power, has recast himself as a bulwark against Iranian influence as Iraqi voters head to the ballot box.

— NBC News, "Muqtada al-Sadr recasts himself ahead of Iraq elections," 11 May 2018
It’s hard to blame those who fell for such fabulous appraisals, when the media provided no bulwark against them.

— michael lapointe, The Atlantic, "The Twisted Tale of the World’s Largest Pearl," 11 May 2018
Another way would be to reinvent the House of Lords as a bulwark against meritocratic triumphalism.

— The Economist, "People without degrees are the most under-represented minority," 10 May 2018
Founded 68 years ago in the Tenderloin by Father Alfred Boeddeker, St. Anthony’s is a bulwark against poverty.

— catherine bigelow, San Francisco Chronicle, "A bevy of benefits for St. Anthony’s, Mission Dolores Academy, zoo," 7 May 2018
Ever since its grand opening in September of 2016, the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) has stood as a gleaming bulwark of a vital part of America’s national story.

— ryan p. smith, Smithsonian, "The African American History and Culture Museum Wins Gold for Going Green," 21 Apr. 2018
That work has often pitted her against city establishment forces that have been a bulwark against many of her positions.

— gordon r. friedman, OregonLive.com, "Packed council race could rattle Portland City Hall," 27 Apr. 2018
In the early Cold War period, the emergence of West Germany as a bulwark against the Soviet menace tended to discourage a closer interrogation of German cultural values.

— naomi fry, The New Yorker, "How American Racism Influenced Hitler," 23 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'bulwark.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.