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
-
The trapdoor to the treehouse does not open from the outside.—
Mark Nevins,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
-
The result is a presidential system with a parliamentary trapdoor, where executive authority depends on maintaining congressional support.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
27 May 2026
Noun
-
The keys are in a traditional lattice layout (rather than a flush edge-to-edge design), and the touchpad is a more basic mechanical touchpad (as opposed to the larger systems’ glass haptic touchpad).—
Matthew Buzzi,
PC Magazine,
3 June 2026
-
The actress and singer turned to styling duo Rob Zangardi and Mariel Haenn for her look — a dramatic, strapless gown with a flowing, voluminous skirt and lattice detailing.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
27 May 2026
Noun
-
The report follows a contentious few years for the East County high school district, which has seen a revolving door of superintendents, a spate of litigation and a rebellion over layoffs.—
Jemma Stephenson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 June 2026
-
Through the revolving door is the famous Grand Promenade—a wide walkway down to the sea, blue and glittering beyond the low white building of Eden-Roc, which discreetly houses three restaurants, six bars, the Pavilion suites and the poolside.—
Matt Ortile,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
The West Indies needed to pick up wickets in the middle overs but Asalanka and Liyanage provided stiff restistance, putting on 64 for the fifth wicket.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 June 2026
-
Only veteran Indian pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar, of Royal Challengers Bengaluru, has more wickets with 24.—
Anantaajith Raghuraman,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Portcullis.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portcullis. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
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