fortification

noun

ˌfȯr-tə-fə-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce fortification (audio)
Definition of fortificationnext
as in fortress
a structure or place from which one can resist attack defenders at the border fortifications preparing for an attack

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of fortification The discovery was made beneath an Israelite-period ritual deposit and adjacent to an ancient Canaanite fortification wall, according to the excavation team. — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 19 July 2026 Layered air-defense systems Iran complements physical fortification with air-defense systems positioned around strategically important military and industrial areas. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 14 July 2026 Spanish forces completed the coquina stone fortress in 1695 on the site of an earlier wooden fortification. — Lane Degregory, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 July 2026 The serene and sumptuous rooms at Patina have tatami mat daybeds plus washi paper headboards inspired by Osaka Castle’s impressive granite fortifications. — Kathryn Romeyn, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for fortification
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fortification
  1. fortress
  2. stronghold
  3. citadel
  4. bastion
  5. castle
  6. fort
Noun
  • There’s a section dedicated to coffee makers of many sizes and colors; reproductions of El Morro castle with a small slot for a paper roll that tells the story of the fortress; and maracas made in Cuba by artisans.
    — Sarah Moreno August 7, Miami Herald, 7 Aug. 2026
  • There was a metal gate rolled out making the front portion of the plane an impenetrable fortress.
    — David Hookstead OutKick, FOXNews.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of fortress
Noun
  • Republican lawmakers in Missouri passed a contentious new congressional map last fall, carving up the Democratic stronghold in the Fifth District and splitting Kansas City residents into three separate districts.
    — Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Sarah Miller, a software engineer from the liberal stronghold of Madison, has heard all of the chatter about a civil war in the Democratic Party between progressives and moderates.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of stronghold
Noun
  • One night, a cockroach breaches his citadel, and Pratt swiftly dispatches it.
    — Asim Ali, Time, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Laelaps was sent to chase a fox that was terrorizing the Cadmea, a citadel.
    — Maddie Rhodes, USA Today, 24 July 2026
Definition of citadel
Noun
  • Stereo 41, Walnut Creek A bastion of late-night coolness – almost too cool – has taken root in downtown Walnut Creek.
    — John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 28 July 2026
  • With Sir John Hall as chairman, this bastion of stale mediocrity was now forward-thinking and ambitious.
    — George Caulkin, New York Times, 21 July 2026
Definition of bastion
Noun
  • That’s been the story of this third season, one that started with Rhaenyra storming the castle and taking the Iron Throne and then promptly saw her get picked apart by dozens of unforeseen calamities.
    — Brian Grubb, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Also a knighthood and a castle and certainly social status that ensures he won’t be treated like scum.
    — Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of castle
Noun
  • Kat and Aesha take the guests swimming in some nearby caves while the rest of the crew holds down the fort.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 4 Aug. 2026
  • The tour, led by Bruce Racond of Revolutionary Tours, promised to take curious attendees to sites rarely seen above 100th Street, from cascading waterfalls to Revolutionary forts.
    — Jessica Sulima, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of fort

Browse Nearby Words

forthwith
fortification
fortifications
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fortification.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fortification. Accessed 12 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on fortification

Nglish: Translation of fortification for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about fortification

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of gnomic

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Aug. 7

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
fridge-magnet-letters
Drop a Letter Quiz August 2026 Drop a letter from a word to make a totally diffe...
See All