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
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
But storybook fortresses aren’t exclusive to mythical kingdoms and romantic tales.
—Gulnaz Khan, AFAR Media, 13 Feb. 2025
Finding individuals with the expertise to transform applications into secure fortresses with additional layers of defense for protecting customer data is a challenge.
—Gil Dabah, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025
The characteristics of the outer settlement have significance for understanding what kinds of sites these mega-fortresses were, according to the researcher.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025
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
But storybook fortresses aren’t exclusive to mythical kingdoms and romantic tales.
—Gulnaz Khan, AFAR Media, 13 Feb. 2025
Finding individuals with the expertise to transform applications into secure fortresses with additional layers of defense for protecting customer data is a challenge.
—Gil Dabah, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025
The characteristics of the outer settlement have significance for understanding what kinds of sites these mega-fortresses were, according to the researcher.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fortresses
Noun
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Several clinics that provide gender-affirming care, including some in Democratic strongholds, have shut down in recent months due to the Administration’s threats to cut federal funding for medical facilities that provide such care to transgender and nonbinary youth.—
Solcyré Burga,
Time,
10 Sep. 2025
-
In addition to being Democratic strongholds, Chicago and Illinois have long been destinations for immigrants.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Historians believe the castle featured living quarters and fortifications, plus courtyards, kitchens, houses and workshops.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
30 Sep. 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
Noun
-
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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Sports, one of the last bastions of bipartisan broadcast TV viewing, is apt to keep the network-station binary from completely dissolving.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
20 Sep. 2025
-
Universities, once bastions of free thought, have too often become hostile breeding grounds for intolerance.—
Michael Curry,
Oc Register,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Continue reading … STUNNING STASH – Treasure trove uncovered at 'secret' site in region full of storybook castles.—
,
FOXNews.com,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Its most beautiful towns feel like a journey back in time, with medieval streets, castles, caves, and old Jewish quarters.—
Visit València,
Miami Herald,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
During the second half of the nineteenth century, politics and military service often made a large nation feel like a small world, as white men in power repeatedly crossed paths in Washington, DC, on Civil War battlefields, and at frontier forts.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Sep. 2025
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Centuries ago in the Siwalik Mountains, a range in the outer Himalayas, ancient people built stone forts.—
Irene Wright,
Miami Herald,
24 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fortresses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fortresses. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
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