stronghold

noun

strong·hold | \ ˈstrȯŋ-ˌhōld

Definition of stronghold

1 : a fortified place

2a : 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 stronghold strongholds of snobbery— Lionel Trilling

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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

Trump needs to maximize support from white voters in places like Erie County, a former Democratic stronghold with a withering manufacturing industry and declining population. — Fortune, "Trump’s America: Where Politics Dictate the Definition of Racism," 6 Aug. 2019 El Paso, a city of more than 700,000, is a predominantly Mexican-American community and a Democratic stronghold. — Dallas News, "While some in El Paso aren't happy about Trump visit, others hope city can teach him something," 6 Aug. 2019 The arrival of Puerto Ricans over the past 15 years has helped flip the once-Republican Orlando region into a Democratic stronghold. — Alexia Fernández Campbell, Vox, "Democrats ignored Puerto Rico at the last debate. Here’s what they should focus on now.," 30 July 2019 For whatever reason, Clinton struggled to tie them all together in a comprehensive message that resonated outside Democratic strongholds. — John Cassidy, The New Yorker, "Elizabeth Warren’s Theory of the Case," 10 June 2019 But in a Democratic stronghold like Waukegan, which also has a history of low voter turnout, the attacks were disconcerting to May and signaled a sharper tone in the election. — Jason Grotto, ProPublica, "From Truck Stops to Elections, a River of Gambling Money Is Flooding Waukegan," 8 Aug. 2019 Most are reliably Democrats—77% of Indian Americans backed Hillary Clinton in 2016, for example—who cluster in partisan strongholds such as California, New York and Illinois. — The Economist, "The rising clout of Indian Americans," 23 July 2019 Buttigieg has largely been campaigning in early primary and caucus states such as Iowa and South Carolina, and fundraising in Democratic strongholds like New York and California. — Chris Sikich, Indianapolis Star, "More than Buttigieg, Pelosi: What to know about Young Democrats convention in Indianapolis," 17 July 2019 Gun control is broadly popular in Democratic strongholds on the coasts and particularly in large cities that have been plagued by deadly shootings. — Laura Krantz, BostonGlobe.com, "Youth activists push gun control to forefront of 2020 campaign," 13 July 2019

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