stronghold

noun

strong·​hold ˈstrȯŋ-ˌhōld How to pronounce stronghold (audio)
Synonyms of stronghold
1
: a fortified place
2
a
: a place of security or survival
… one of the last strongholds of the ancient Gaelic language …George Holmes
b
: a place dominated by a particular group or marked by a particular characteristic
a Republican/Democratic stronghold
strongholds of snobberyLionel Trilling

Examples of stronghold in a Sentence

The area is a Republican stronghold. The rebels retreated to their mountain stronghold. the last stronghold of the endangered deer
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The Dodgers have not taken the division just yet, but taking two out of three from the Padres assures their stronghold isn’t loosening anytime soon. Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 29 June 2026 Local communities, including Republican strongholds in Georgia and Mississippi, voiced opposition to the projects, staging protests outside the warehouses and derailing city council meetings. Christopher Cann, USA Today, 25 June 2026 While English authorities allowed limited migration of Catholics, especially to Maryland, their Colonies remained Protestant strongholds. Peter C. Mancall, The Conversation, 24 June 2026 According to Bolivia’s highway authority, active roadblocks fell from around 50 to just 12, with most of the remaining closings concentrated in Cochabamba, the political stronghold of former President Evo Morales. Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 23 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for stronghold

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of stronghold was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Stronghold.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stronghold. Accessed 4 Jul. 2026.

Kids Definition

stronghold

noun
strong·​hold ˈstrȯŋ-ˌhōld How to pronounce stronghold (audio)

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