1
as in fortresses
a structure or place from which one can resist attack
the implacable attackers placed the castle under a prolonged siege
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in mansions
a large impressive residence
the mining tycoon built a magnificent castle on the hill overlooking the town
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of castles
They were set in crumbling castles and moldering dungeons—that is, amid the rubble of a collapsing social order.
—
Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 1 June 2026
Today, the municipality doesn’t seem too eager to promote its affinity for the international language (its tourism office tends to focus more on local castles and caves), but Herzberg has achieved near-mythic status among some Esperantists.
—Katie Thornton, Harpers Magazine, 26 May 2026
Because castles are kind of cool.
—Sean Woods, Rolling Stone, 25 May 2026
From barely recognizable ruins to luxury resorts, Ireland’s castles are favorite destinations on visitors’ itineraries.
—Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 22 May 2026
The couple, who went public with their relationship in 2024, swore eternal love in Arizona during a very intimate ceremony away from English castles and aristocratic residences.
—Laura Scafati, Vanity Fair, 19 May 2026
Shot largely on the historical sets of Shochiku Studio and on location at temples and castles in Kyoto, the film is an uncommonly patient, architecturally precise work.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 19 May 2026
Either way, the city makes an easy final stop after five amazing days of coasts, castles and quiet corners.
—David Dickstein, Oc Register, 13 May 2026
Interior designer Francesca Grace took inspiration from English cottages and castles when dreaming up the color palette for her LA bungalow.
—Eleni N. Gage, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 May 2026
Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 1 June 2026
Today, the municipality doesn’t seem too eager to promote its affinity for the international language (its tourism office tends to focus more on local castles and caves), but Herzberg has achieved near-mythic status among some Esperantists.
—Katie Thornton, Harpers Magazine, 26 May 2026
Because castles are kind of cool.
—Sean Woods, Rolling Stone, 25 May 2026
From barely recognizable ruins to luxury resorts, Ireland’s castles are favorite destinations on visitors’ itineraries.
—Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 22 May 2026
The couple, who went public with their relationship in 2024, swore eternal love in Arizona during a very intimate ceremony away from English castles and aristocratic residences.
—Laura Scafati, Vanity Fair, 19 May 2026
Shot largely on the historical sets of Shochiku Studio and on location at temples and castles in Kyoto, the film is an uncommonly patient, architecturally precise work.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 19 May 2026
Either way, the city makes an easy final stop after five amazing days of coasts, castles and quiet corners.
—David Dickstein, Oc Register, 13 May 2026
Interior designer Francesca Grace took inspiration from English cottages and castles when dreaming up the color palette for her LA bungalow.
—Eleni N. Gage, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for castles
Noun
-
The trailers show that Eternia was once a vibrant alien-like world with multi-colored forests, massive mountains and fortresses with towering faces carved into their entrances.—
Caroline Reid,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2026
-
And by the turn of the twenty-first century, most of those tiny bungalows had been replaced by sprawling estates—fortresses for the entertainment elite, where Oscar trophies adorned mantels and wealth guarded from disaster.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
In a conclave already fixated with security and privacy, the mansions will offer even more.—
Alexandra Phelps
Updated May 29,
Miami Herald,
29 May 2026
-
By David Voreacos, Bloomberg North Carolina investment firm founder Greg Lindberg was sentenced Tuesday to 12 years in prison for siphoning more than $2 billion in reserves backing insurance policies and using the proceeds to pay for jets, mansions and a 214-foot yacht.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
27 May 2026
Noun
-
The defining moment of Hadi’s presidency came in 2014, when Houthi fighters swept south from their northern strongholds and captured Sanaa amid growing public anger over economic hardship and political instability.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
28 May 2026
-
Israel has devastated Gaza in its campaign against Hamas and, in recent weeks, has targeted Hezbollah strongholds in southern Lebanon.—
Shane Harris,
The Atlantic,
19 May 2026
Noun
-
Let alone seek revenge by annexing the manors of your enemies.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Virginia‘s countryside is dotted with traditional farmhouses and manors, but one in the foothills of the Southwest Mountains has been given a contemporary twist by a New York architect.—
Demetrius Simms,
Robb Report,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Built as a Crusader castle around the 12th century on top of previous fortifications, it has also been used by Saladin’s Jerusalem army, Mamluks, Ottomans, the French and the Palestine Liberation Organization.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
31 May 2026
-
French doors open to balconies with views across Chania toward the sea, and the citrus- and olive-filled garden is bound, in part, by the city’s ancient Venetian fortifications.—
Katie Silcox,
Vogue,
28 May 2026
Noun
-
The gringos are coming, and Latour must shore up the diocese, trekking between isolated haciendas and pueblos with his quasi-spousal companion Father Vaillant.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
7 Jan. 2026
-
While arched passageways reference those found in classic haciendas, the walls are hand-finished in quintessentially Mexican chukum plaster.—
Adrian Madlener,
Curbed,
6 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
The story is a bit murkier than Manichaean talk of stormers and citadels.—
Jon Allsop,
New Yorker,
6 Oct. 2025
-
Intelsat’s leadership rapidly green-lighted the campaign to set up internet citadels.—
Kevin Holden Platt,
Forbes.com,
20 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Although the ruling came in a criminal case, the same reasoning would likely apply in civil matters as well—including disputes involving contracts, prenups, taxes, estates, or business issues.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2026
-
As an alum of both Sotheby’s Fiduciary Client Group and the advisory firm Art Intelligence Global, Anderson will bring a trusts-and-estates perspective to these growing markets, recognizing that today’s collectors acquire objects across categories, from fine art to luxury to collectibles.—
Julie Brener Davich,
ARTnews.com,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Castles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/castles. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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