bulwark

noun

Save Word

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

Keep scrolling for more

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 Many American strategists still view joining the existing TPP (or the CPTPP, as it’s now called) as the best way to create an economic bulwark against Chinese expansion, backing regional allies and setting the terms of global trade. — Tim Fernholz, Quartz, "How the USMCA sets the stage for the future of trade," 18 Dec. 2019 Large corporations have certainly contributed to the expansion of LGBTQ equality in the United States and have, in the last few years, served as an important bulwark to protect those gains from conservative backlash. — Nick Lehr, Quartz at Work, "The unique role corporations played in the fight for LGBTQ rights," 18 Nov. 2019 Efforts to protect these areas—seen by experts as a critical bulwark against deforestation—are faltering. — Scott Wallace, National Geographic, "Murder in the Amazon heightens fears for isolated tribes," 27 Sep. 2019 Casten’s election and his support for impeachment may signal the further erosion of Republican support in DuPage County, once considered a major bulwark of the suburban GOP firewall that could counter Democrats in Chicago and Cook County. — Rick Pearson, chicagotribune.com, "Freshman Democratic U.S. Rep. Sean Casten, who flipped Republican seat in 2018, says he’ll vote for impeachment," 12 Dec. 2019 But in this case, the region’s human inhabitants, the 35,000 Arhuaco—along with the indigenous Kogi, Wiwa, and Kankuamo, who collectively number about 50,000—have been its bulwark. — Stephen Ferry, National Geographic, "Indigenous protectors of these sacred peaks have kept others out—till now," 26 Nov. 2019 Though Macy’s has struggled in recent years with slumping sales amid online competition and changing customer taste, its parade remains a bulwark of broadcast television and a tradition within American homes. — Elizabeth Nonemaker, baltimoresun.com, "Behind the scenes as Morgan State’s Magnificent Marching Machine prepares for Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade," 22 Nov. 2019 Another bulwark against decay, Moran suggests, is what's known as horizontal gene transfer, in which essential genes from the partner microbe or outside microbes migrate to the host genome—as genes from mitochondria did. — Elizabeth Pennisi, Science | AAAS, "A love of insects and their microbial partners helped this biologist reveal secrets of symbiosis," 14 Nov. 2019 Foreign policy experts say Ukraine is a key bulwark in our defense against Russia. — Time, "Why Trump's Defenses Against Impeachment Are Doomed to Fail," 11 Nov. 2019 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb But so is lasting peace, bulwarked by the safeguarding of human rights — particularly for Afghan women — and the prevention of Afghanistan again becoming a haven for terrorism. — Chicago Tribune, Twin Cities, "Other voices: 3 questions about an Afghanistan peace deal," 8 Sep. 2019 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.