as in strongholds
a structure or place from which one can resist attack
the rebel army retreated to its bastion in the mountains to regroup
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bastions
Sports, one of the last bastions of bipartisan broadcast TV viewing, is apt to keep the network-station binary from completely dissolving.
—
Dade Hayes, Deadline, 20 Sep. 2025
Universities, once bastions of free thought, have too often become hostile breeding grounds for intolerance.
—Michael Curry, Oc Register, 15 Sep. 2025
Budapest, Hungary Cradled by the Danube’s curves, Budapest is a city where medieval bastions meet Ottoman bathhouses steaming beside Bauhaus blocks.
—Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
The Republican president has repeatedly criticized both Washington and Chicago — Democratic bastions led by Black mayors — for out-of-control street crime, despite crime rates dropping in the two cities.
—Daniel C. Vock, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2025
One of the last bastions of radical cinema was the independent Art Theatre Guild, which produced and distributed two films in 1970 that captured Japan’s own retreat from possible change toward aesthetic and political conservatism.
—Jake Cole, IndieWire, 18 Aug. 2025
Dade Hayes, Deadline, 20 Sep. 2025
Universities, once bastions of free thought, have too often become hostile breeding grounds for intolerance.
—Michael Curry, Oc Register, 15 Sep. 2025
Budapest, Hungary Cradled by the Danube’s curves, Budapest is a city where medieval bastions meet Ottoman bathhouses steaming beside Bauhaus blocks.
—Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
The Republican president has repeatedly criticized both Washington and Chicago — Democratic bastions led by Black mayors — for out-of-control street crime, despite crime rates dropping in the two cities.
—Daniel C. Vock, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2025
One of the last bastions of radical cinema was the independent Art Theatre Guild, which produced and distributed two films in 1970 that captured Japan’s own retreat from possible change toward aesthetic and political conservatism.
—Jake Cole, IndieWire, 18 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bastions
Noun
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Several clinics that provide gender-affirming care, including some in Democratic strongholds, have shut down in recent months due to the Administration’s threats to cut federal funding for medical facilities that provide such care to transgender and nonbinary youth.—
Solcyré Burga,
Time,
10 Sep. 2025
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In addition to being Democratic strongholds, Chicago and Illinois have long been destinations for immigrants.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Sleek architecture marries centuries-old fortresses—while locals swap skis for kayaks, depending on the season.—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
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Inextricably tied to the D-Day invasion of World War II, this northern French region of orchards, dairies, horse farms and seaside villages along the English Channel draws visitors who come to honor the fallen or visit famous medieval fortresses and abbeys.—
Seth Sherwood,
New York Times,
21 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Historians believe the castle featured living quarters and fortifications, plus courtyards, kitchens, houses and workshops.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
30 Sep. 2025
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Others opt to stay local, exploring Civitavecchia’s waterfront, markets and old fortifications without the long journey inland.—
David Nikel,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Intelsat’s leadership rapidly green-lighted the campaign to set up internet citadels.—
Kevin Holden Platt,
Forbes.com,
20 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Continue reading … STUNNING STASH – Treasure trove uncovered at 'secret' site in region full of storybook castles.—
,
FOXNews.com,
3 Oct. 2025
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Its most beautiful towns feel like a journey back in time, with medieval streets, castles, caves, and old Jewish quarters.—
Visit València,
Miami Herald,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
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During the second half of the nineteenth century, politics and military service often made a large nation feel like a small world, as white men in power repeatedly crossed paths in Washington, DC, on Civil War battlefields, and at frontier forts.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Sep. 2025
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Centuries ago in the Siwalik Mountains, a range in the outer Himalayas, ancient people built stone forts.—
Irene Wright,
Miami Herald,
24 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bastions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bastions. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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