bulwark

1 of 2

noun

bul·​wark ˈbu̇l-(ˌ)wərk 

-ˌwȯrk;

ˈbəl-(ˌ)wərk;

sense 3 also ˈbə-ˌläk

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 plural

bulwark

2 of 2

verb

bulwarked; bulwarking; bulwarks

transitive verb

: to fortify or safeguard with a bulwark

… ability to bulwark a moral choice …

—Margaret Mead

Synonyms of bulwark

Verb

• protect
• defend
• safeguard
• shield
• guard

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 against a terrorist attack

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Yet the episode also offered evidence of how natural resources provide a bulwark against an adversarial White House. — Alexis Akwagyiram, semafor.com, 21 Sep. 2026

Prime Minister Mark Carney embraced making Canada the EU’s first associate member, casting deeper economic, security and political ties with Europe as a bulwark for sovereignty and open markets. — Rob Gillies, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026

Verb

Discussions from 2023 have been led by Spain’s Ministry for Digital Transformation, headed by Minister Óscar López, which has just announced a deal with the San Sebastián Film Festival to bulwark its industry events. — John Hopewell, Variety, 19 Sep. 2026

The national conservatives embrace Christian nationalism and seek to bulwark the homogeneous nation-state from threats from liberalism. — Leonard A. Schuette, Foreign Affairs, 25 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English bulwerke, from Middle Dutch bolwerc, from bolle tree trunk + werc work

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

bulwark

noun

bul·​wark

ˈbu̇l-(ˌ)wərk, 

-ˌwȯrk;

ˈbəl-(ˌ)wərk

1

: a solid structure like a wall built for defense

2

: a strong support or protection

3

: the side of a ship above the upper deck

—usually used in plural

Etymology

Noun

Middle English bulwerke "bulwark," from early Dutch bolwerc (same meaning) — related to boulevard