as in strongholds
a structure or place from which one can resist attack
the boys built a snow fortress and then challenged the neighborhood kids to an in-your-face snowball fight
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of fortresses
Andermatt, Switzerland High in the Alps, where trains wind through snowbound passes and peaks rise like fortresses, Andermatt is one of Switzerland’s most dynamic winter destinations.
—
Mark Ellwood, AFAR Media, 7 Nov. 2025
Such structures, including residences and fortresses, were created by religious authorities and noble families, according to the city’s tourism website.
—Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 3 Nov. 2025
For many Americans, universities appear more like fortresses than forums.
—Nicholas Dirks, Time, 16 Oct. 2025
Sleek architecture marries centuries-old fortresses—while locals swap skis for kayaks, depending on the season.
—Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Inextricably tied to the D-Day invasion of World War II, this northern French region of orchards, dairies, horse farms and seaside villages along the English Channel draws visitors who come to honor the fallen or visit famous medieval fortresses and abbeys.
—Seth Sherwood, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2025
Many CEOs believe tariffs are here to stay, as America’s trading partners create their own walled fortresses and blocs.
—Diane Brady, Fortune, 12 Aug. 2025
From Florida’s offshore fortresses to California’s marine sanctuaries, these places are open to adventurous visitors and perfect for a late-summer excursion.
—Allison Palmer, Charlotte Observer, 7 Aug. 2025
The discovery highlights the region’s strategic military importance during Egypt’s New Kingdom, where fortresses and strongholds were built to defend the eastern borders.
—Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 1 Apr. 2025
Mark Ellwood, AFAR Media, 7 Nov. 2025
Such structures, including residences and fortresses, were created by religious authorities and noble families, according to the city’s tourism website.
—Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 3 Nov. 2025
For many Americans, universities appear more like fortresses than forums.
—Nicholas Dirks, Time, 16 Oct. 2025
Sleek architecture marries centuries-old fortresses—while locals swap skis for kayaks, depending on the season.
—Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Inextricably tied to the D-Day invasion of World War II, this northern French region of orchards, dairies, horse farms and seaside villages along the English Channel draws visitors who come to honor the fallen or visit famous medieval fortresses and abbeys.
—Seth Sherwood, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2025
Many CEOs believe tariffs are here to stay, as America’s trading partners create their own walled fortresses and blocs.
—Diane Brady, Fortune, 12 Aug. 2025
From Florida’s offshore fortresses to California’s marine sanctuaries, these places are open to adventurous visitors and perfect for a late-summer excursion.
—Allison Palmer, Charlotte Observer, 7 Aug. 2025
The discovery highlights the region’s strategic military importance during Egypt’s New Kingdom, where fortresses and strongholds were built to defend the eastern borders.
—Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 1 Apr. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fortresses
Noun
-
Maps are typically redrawn only once a decade after the census, and in California—as in several other Democratic strongholds—an independent commission oversees the process.—
Solcyré Burga,
Time,
5 Nov. 2025
-
The move also highlights the Democratic Party’s internal reckoning over its ideological future, especially in urban strongholds like New York City.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The exercise also featured swarms of first-person-view (FPV) suicide drones launching precision strikes against mock enemy fortifications.—
Kapil Kajal,
Interesting Engineering,
5 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
Noun
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The leaders’ reluctance came after last year’s election saw Republicans make notable gains in reliably blue bastions like New Jersey and New York, with some in the party blaming the shift on polarizing social issues embraced by the left.—
Caroline Vakil,
The Hill,
5 Nov. 2025
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Two men who represent two different bastions of power — God and country — in Oklahoma are making sermons of a kind.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
29 Oct. 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
-
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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After a precruise stay at the Ritz-Carlton Osaka, the itinerary includes private performances by Kodo taiko drummers and geishas, strolls among cherry blossoms and bonsai trees, and visits to castles and temples, such as the Golden Pavilion in Kyoto.—
Fran Golden,
AFAR Media,
6 Nov. 2025
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Concept art of the Disney/Fortnite video game interface released in 2024 looked like a theme park with multiple Disney castles at a gleaming central hub surrounded by at least eight islands populated with visual nods to familiar Marvel, Pixar, Lucasfilm and 20th Century Fox brands, films and shows.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
It’s made of dense foam pieces, including a base, cushion and two triangle pillows, allowing kiddos to create forts and obstacle courses along with sturdy, comfortable seating.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
23 Oct. 2025
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When Columbus instructed settlers to build forts in large towns, Taínos attacked the settlers in large numbers.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fortresses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fortresses. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.
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