as in trapdoor
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Recent Examples of portcullis
The entrance to the car park even passes under a portcullis and guests’ bags go through an X-ray machine hidden in the rock-face.
—
Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
The prior owner went all out on building a Medieval-style castle, with a moat, a drawbridge and a portcullis.
—Katherine Clarke, WSJ, 3 Mar. 2022
Medieval amenities include a moat, two watchtowers and two gates, a drawbridge, an underground cave (complete with a Jacuzzi!), trap doors, and a genuine portcullis (a metal-and-wood gate typically seen in medieval fortresses).
—Mary Elizabeth Andriotis, House Beautiful, 20 Jan. 2022
Then Iraq’s new rulers lowered a paper portcullis, demanding fees and the completion of myriad forms.
—The Economist, 10 Apr. 2021
Pass beneath an imposing portcullis into Edinburgh Castle, home to the National War Museum and the 12th-century St. Margaret’s Chapel—believed to be the oldest building in Edinburgh.
—National Geographic, 12 June 2019
Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
The prior owner went all out on building a Medieval-style castle, with a moat, a drawbridge and a portcullis.
—Katherine Clarke, WSJ, 3 Mar. 2022
Medieval amenities include a moat, two watchtowers and two gates, a drawbridge, an underground cave (complete with a Jacuzzi!), trap doors, and a genuine portcullis (a metal-and-wood gate typically seen in medieval fortresses).
—Mary Elizabeth Andriotis, House Beautiful, 20 Jan. 2022
Then Iraq’s new rulers lowered a paper portcullis, demanding fees and the completion of myriad forms.
—The Economist, 10 Apr. 2021
Pass beneath an imposing portcullis into Edinburgh Castle, home to the National War Museum and the 12th-century St. Margaret’s Chapel—believed to be the oldest building in Edinburgh.
—National Geographic, 12 June 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for portcullis
Noun
-
Authorities found a kilo of fentanyl in a closet and 12 more kilos of narcotics under a trapdoor in the children's playroom.—
Doha Madani,
NBC news,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Richarlison became a hero for Everton in the 2021-22 season, scoring six times in their final 10 matches to inspire what had for a while looked an unlikely escape from the trapdoor that leads to the Championship.—
Jay Harris,
New York Times,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Made with fresh cherries, peaches, and nectarines, this recipe will give you a delicious and shareable treat with only 10 minutes of active time and an impressive lattice design.—
Abby Fribush,
Southern Living,
10 Apr. 2026
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In place of drums is a constant floor of undulating synth bass, which sometimes twists itself into the treble range but mostly functions as the x-axis to the percussion’s y in the vast lattice structure that supports this music.—
Daniel Bromfield,
Pitchfork,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The creative decision also mirrors the experience of doctors, nurses and students within a teaching hospital, which often includes a revolving door of staff.—
Raven Brunner,
PEOPLE,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Since the series mirrors the experience of doctors, nurses, and students within a teaching hospital, a revolving door of staff is a natural occurrence.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Salt hit two sixes to score 46 off 30, and put on 56 off 37 with Padikkal for the second wicket.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Shaun Marsh and Adam Gilchrist (PBKS) put on 206 runs for the second wicket against RCB in 2011.—
Tushaar Kuthiala,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Portcullis.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portcullis. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.
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