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
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of fortresses
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
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
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
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
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
-
Parts of those medieval fortifications can still be seen today in the museum’s lower levels.—
Barney Henderson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Historians believe the castle featured living quarters and fortifications, plus courtyards, kitchens, houses and workshops.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Instead, Tuttle suffered 10 rejections in a row, including hard passes from indie bastions like Sundance and SXSW.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
8 Oct. 2025
-
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
Noun
-
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
-
In an era where most horror films were still set in creaky old houses and faraway castles, The Seventh Victim moves the action to New York City's Greenwich Village.—
Katie Rife,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Oct. 2025
-
And, at least until recently, the government has proven unwilling or unable to try and storm the castles.—
NPR,
NPR,
21 Oct. 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
-
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 7 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share