as in fortresses
a structure or place from which one can resist attack
a massive stone citadel continues to command the city of Halifax, Nova Scotia
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of citadels
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
Archaeologists have identified citadels and temple sites all along Vietnam's coast and throughout the mountains of Laos and Cambodia.
—Michelle Jana Chan, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Feb. 2023
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
Archaeologists have identified citadels and temple sites all along Vietnam's coast and throughout the mountains of Laos and Cambodia.
—Michelle Jana Chan, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Feb. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for citadels
Noun
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The eccentric design of Olana was inspired by fortresses in Persia (where, curiously, Church hadn’t travelled), as well as Italian, East Indian, Gothic Revival, and French Second Empire architecture.—
Sebastian Smee,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
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The hilltop structures were originally built as Catholic shrines dedicated to the virgins they're named after, but were turned into military fortresses in the early 1800s—they have since been rehabilitated for tourism.—
Christin Parcerisa Vigueras,
Travel + Leisure,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The map would create more GOP-friendly districts not only by condensing Democratic voters but also by making some Republican strongholds less sturdy in a year when Republicans are expected to take a hit on the November ballot.—
Alexandra Glorioso,
Miami Herald,
27 Apr. 2026
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Additionally, independent candidates aligned with the Democratic Party raised more than Republican Senate incumbents in the deep red strongholds of Montana and Nebraska last quarter.—
Stephen Fowler,
NPR,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Climb the 900-odd steps (or cop out in a car) for a walk through its eight baroque bastions and some breathtaking views.—
Helen Brown,
TheWeek,
30 Apr. 2026
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The surge in costs reflects a major shift for Chicago, known as one of the last bastions of big-city affordability.—
Bloomberg,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Covering the sarcophagus Yellow daffodils bloom beside wartime fortifications at the Chernobyl plant as workers in ordinary clothes, with badges and special permits, pass through the restricted zone.—
Hanna Arhirova,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Apr. 2026
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The fortifications on the southern and western sides stretch 1,312 feet long, predating the 1st-century legionary camp for which Vindonissa is famous.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Seaview Terrace is one of the city’s many historic castles, and because everybody in the state knows each other, it’s naturally owned by Liz’s friend’s friend.—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
4 May 2026
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The Academy Award winner famously bought castles in England and Germany, an island in the Bahamas and a mansion in New Orleans, Louisiana, that is said to be haunted.—
Ashley Hume,
FOXNews.com,
1 May 2026
Noun
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In addition to exploring the forts and lighthouses, families can enjoy coastal trails, bird-watching, and stargazing.—
Dave Parfitt,
USA Today,
9 May 2026
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Even populous British colonies like Virginia and Pennsylvania grew blurry on their western frontiers, where indistinct borders were protected by a few lonely forts.—
Daniel Immerwahr,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Citadels.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/citadels. Accessed 10 May. 2026.
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