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
Passmore’s magisterial, revisionist account of the Maginot Line—the network of French fortifications built in the 1920s and 1930s to stop a German invasion—challenges the conventional understanding of its role in World War II.
—
Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
Ammunition, uniforms, and fortifications contribute to GDP but do not improve long-term welfare or capital formation.
—Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 16 Dec. 2025
But Meier said that, at least on land, artillery will still have its place, especially against an entrenched defender with strong fortifications.
—Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 27 Nov. 2025
The plan would also give Russia the Donbas region, comprised of Luhansk and Donetsk, which contain Ukraine's strongest fortifications.
—Matthew Robinson, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2025
But Schliemann dug up walls, fortifications and artifacts that proved Troy's existence — as well as the remnants of its conflicts.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 18 Nov. 2025
The dig revealed a stunning snapshot of the southern gate, complete with the fortifications around the city’s edge, exposing the entry point, a tollhouse, the terminus of the main street, and artifacts that continue to illuminate daily life in the former Swedish town.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 9 Nov. 2025
Like Gelamichael, the Ortiz family has constructed cement fortifications around the home for protection, the outlet reported.
—Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 5 Nov. 2025
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
Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
Ammunition, uniforms, and fortifications contribute to GDP but do not improve long-term welfare or capital formation.
—Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 16 Dec. 2025
But Meier said that, at least on land, artillery will still have its place, especially against an entrenched defender with strong fortifications.
—Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 27 Nov. 2025
The plan would also give Russia the Donbas region, comprised of Luhansk and Donetsk, which contain Ukraine's strongest fortifications.
—Matthew Robinson, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2025
But Schliemann dug up walls, fortifications and artifacts that proved Troy's existence — as well as the remnants of its conflicts.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 18 Nov. 2025
The dig revealed a stunning snapshot of the southern gate, complete with the fortifications around the city’s edge, exposing the entry point, a tollhouse, the terminus of the main street, and artifacts that continue to illuminate daily life in the former Swedish town.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 9 Nov. 2025
Like Gelamichael, the Ortiz family has constructed cement fortifications around the home for protection, the outlet reported.
—Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 5 Nov. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fortifications
Noun
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Verdant hillsides dotted with colorful cottages and colonial-era fortresses reveal a vibrant city life.—
Carley Rojas Avila,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Jan. 2026
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Secure capitals While both India and Pakistan have historically faced significant security threats, their capitals are meant to be fortresses – home to the seats of government, military leadership, and the diplomatic corps.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
12 Nov. 2025
Noun
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McDonald said DeSantis also could be trying to shore up Republican strongholds to mitigate the losses generally experienced by the party in power during midterm elections.—
Mike Schneider,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Jan. 2026
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Immigration operations that started last summer in liberal strongholds such as Chicago,Los Angeles and Portland also generated large protests.—
Nicholas Riccardi,
Fortune,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
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In her conversations with health officials around the country, Balfour has found that there is increasing backlash towards the growing number of people who are unhoused, even in liberal bastions such as San Francisco and Seattle.—
O. Rose Broderick,
STAT,
2 Jan. 2026
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After tenures at Atlanta bastions like Miller Union, pastry chef Claudia Martinez is now taking the driver’s seat with a star-studded crew behind her.—
Su-Jit Lin,
Southern Living,
17 Dec. 2025
Noun
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Our chairs are for sitting on, not for constructing elaborate forts.—
Eddie Small,
New Yorker,
6 Jan. 2026
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From ancient forts and settlements to Roman roads, some of England’s most impressive Neolithic monuments can be found here.—
Andrea Bussell,
Travel + Leisure,
27 Dec. 2025
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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The Windsors’ real estate portfolio is far from shabby, but the centuries-old castles lack a personal touch from their modern-day inhabitants.—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
12 Jan. 2026
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At the Minnesota State Fairgrounds, ice artists create walk-through castles with tunnels, slides and frozen fountains etched into natural-looking formations.—
Ginger Crichton,
Midwest Living,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fortifications.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fortifications. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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