bulwark

noun

bul·wark | \ˈbu̇l-(ˌ)wərk,

-ˌwȯrk;ˈbəl-(ˌ)wərk; sense 3 also ˈbə-ˌläk\

Definition of bulwark

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : 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

bulwark

verb

bulwarked; bulwarking; bulwarks

Definition of bulwark (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

: to fortify or safeguard with a bulwark ability to bulwark a moral choice— Margaret Mead

Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about bulwark

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Examples of bulwark in a Sentence

Noun

democratic principles that stand as a bulwark against tyranny

Verb

vowed to use any means necessary to bulwark the country agai nst a terrorist attack

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

In a visit to Poland a year ago, the U.S. president hailed the country as a bulwark of Western civilization, which some critics interpreted as a ringing endorsement of the same populist-nationalist style that helped propel Trump to power. — Laura King, latimes.com, "Poland sees opportunity and peril in NATO summit and Trump-Putin meeting," 9 July 2018 That decision surprised both US forces in South Korea and the South Korean government, which views this cooperation as a bulwark of its alliance with the United States. — Mark Landler, BostonGlobe.com, "The summit was unprecedented, the statement vague, and the day historic," 13 June 2018 For almost a half-century, Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 was a potent bulwark against efforts to obstruct Americans’ lawful right to cast a ballot. — Matt Ford, The New Republic, "How the Supreme Court Kills Roe v. Wade," 11 July 2018 This still preserves for the Court a large role in protecting fundamental rights and the structure of the separation of powers that is a bulwark against tyranny. — The Editorial Board, WSJ, "Kavanaugh for the Court," 9 July 2018 Then, the court struck down lower court rulings that allowed public-sector unions, a bulwark of the party, to deduct dues from state and local government workers’ paychecks. — Chris Stirewalt, Fox News, "What are Dems to do about the SupCo?," 27 June 2018 Now, California’s right to go its own way—and other states’ right to follow—has become a bulwark against the EPA’s move to roll back emissions standards. — Alex Davies, WIRED, "Colorado Joins California In the Fight for Cleaner Cars," 21 June 2018 Russia may be arming the Taliban as a bulwark against the Islamic State. — Gardiner Harris, New York Times, "On Brief Visit, Pompeo Says U.S. Is Afghanistan’s ‘Enduring Partner’," 9 July 2018 In other words, valuing science for pure pleasure is more of a bulwark against the politicization of science than facts alone. — Michael Shermer, Scientific American, "Science Denial versus Science Pleasure," 1 Jan. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Even Einstein, the prototypical loner, was bulwarked by a vast correspondence of arguing and discussion. — Dennis Overbye, New York Times, "Bob Dylan Won. But in Science, the Times They Aren’t A-Changin’.," 31 Oct. 2016

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.