as in fortresses
a structure or place from which one can resist attack
defenders at the border fortifications preparing for an attack
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Recent Examples of fortifications
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
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
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.
—ABC News, 24 Apr. 2026
The area that would be renamed Donnyland under the plan is 50 miles long and 40 miles wide, but holds Ukraine’s best fortifications.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 22 Apr. 2026
Over many years, Iran has built underground fortifications and facilities to protect its missile and drone inventory.
—Daniel Kurtzer, New York Daily News, 5 Apr. 2026
Star fortifications started in Italy, were perfected in France (especially by the prolific Vauban), and dominated the European military scene for the entire 17th and 18th centuries, giving Europe’s strategic cities and landscapes a distinctive architectural look.
—Big Think, 27 Mar. 2026
And now our- General Caine, Secretary Hegseth, are leading a campaign to destroy all the fortifications along the straits of Hormuz.
—NBC news, 22 Mar. 2026
Even though the border was relatively quiet for years, Israel also prepared for the next war with Hezbollah, gathering intelligence and building its own fortifications.
—Oren Liebermann, CNN Money, 6 Mar. 2026
Hanna Arhirova, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2026
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
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.
—ABC News, 24 Apr. 2026
The area that would be renamed Donnyland under the plan is 50 miles long and 40 miles wide, but holds Ukraine’s best fortifications.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 22 Apr. 2026
Over many years, Iran has built underground fortifications and facilities to protect its missile and drone inventory.
—Daniel Kurtzer, New York Daily News, 5 Apr. 2026
Star fortifications started in Italy, were perfected in France (especially by the prolific Vauban), and dominated the European military scene for the entire 17th and 18th centuries, giving Europe’s strategic cities and landscapes a distinctive architectural look.
—Big Think, 27 Mar. 2026
And now our- General Caine, Secretary Hegseth, are leading a campaign to destroy all the fortifications along the straits of Hormuz.
—NBC news, 22 Mar. 2026
Even though the border was relatively quiet for years, Israel also prepared for the next war with Hezbollah, gathering intelligence and building its own fortifications.
—Oren Liebermann, CNN Money, 6 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fortifications
Noun
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Surface tanks are targets; subsurface reservoirs are fortresses.—
Siddharth Misra,
Fortune,
6 Mar. 2026
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France believed its Maginot Line of fortresses was impregnable – until the Germans simply went around it.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
19 Feb. 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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Battle Sites to Visit in Puebla The Battle of Puebla took place at two forts, Loreto and Guadalupe.—
Christin Parcerisa Vigueras,
Travel + Leisure,
30 Apr. 2026
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What makes the site especially remarkable is how much of the original structure remains intact; many forts from this era were destroyed, but Fort Macon has been carefully preserved and restored, offering a rare glimpse into the past.—
Abby Price,
Southern Living,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The story is a bit murkier than Manichaean talk of stormers and citadels.—
Jon Allsop,
New Yorker,
6 Oct. 2025
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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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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
Cite this Entry
“Fortifications.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fortifications. Accessed 5 May. 2026.
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