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
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Recent Examples of fortresses
The eccentric design of Olana was inspired by fortresses in Persia (where, curiously, Church hadn’t travelled), as well as Italian, East Indian, Gothic Revival, and French Second Empire architecture.
—
Sebastian Smee, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
The hilltop structures were originally built as Catholic shrines dedicated to the virgins they're named after, but were turned into military fortresses in the early 1800s—they have since been rehabilitated for tourism.
—Christin Parcerisa Vigueras, Travel + Leisure, 30 Apr. 2026
Surface tanks are targets; subsurface reservoirs are fortresses.
—Siddharth Misra, Fortune, 6 Mar. 2026
France believed its Maginot Line of fortresses was impregnable – until the Germans simply went around it.
—New Atlas, 19 Feb. 2026
Meanwhile, history buffs will love exploring the island’s capital via colorful Spanish-colonial architecture and imposing, ancient fortresses like La Fortaleza and El Morro.
—Brittany Chang, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Jan. 2026
Collective investments in resilience are cheaper than everyone building their own fortresses.
—Haley Ott, CBS News, 21 Jan. 2026
While the prison grounds have no high fences, the prison units exist as separate fortresses, successors to the long wooden barracks that were once here.
—Literary Hub, 14 Jan. 2026
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
Sebastian Smee, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
The hilltop structures were originally built as Catholic shrines dedicated to the virgins they're named after, but were turned into military fortresses in the early 1800s—they have since been rehabilitated for tourism.
—Christin Parcerisa Vigueras, Travel + Leisure, 30 Apr. 2026
Surface tanks are targets; subsurface reservoirs are fortresses.
—Siddharth Misra, Fortune, 6 Mar. 2026
France believed its Maginot Line of fortresses was impregnable – until the Germans simply went around it.
—New Atlas, 19 Feb. 2026
Meanwhile, history buffs will love exploring the island’s capital via colorful Spanish-colonial architecture and imposing, ancient fortresses like La Fortaleza and El Morro.
—Brittany Chang, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Jan. 2026
Collective investments in resilience are cheaper than everyone building their own fortresses.
—Haley Ott, CBS News, 21 Jan. 2026
While the prison grounds have no high fences, the prison units exist as separate fortresses, successors to the long wooden barracks that were once here.
—Literary Hub, 14 Jan. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fortresses
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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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
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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
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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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
Noun
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In addition to exploring the forts and lighthouses, families can enjoy coastal trails, bird-watching, and stargazing.—
Dave Parfitt,
USA Today,
9 May 2026
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Even populous British colonies like Virginia and Pennsylvania grew blurry on their western frontiers, where indistinct borders were protected by a few lonely forts.—
Daniel Immerwahr,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fortresses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fortresses. Accessed 10 May. 2026.
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