Thesaurus results for PORTCULLIS

portcullis

noun

Definition of portcullis

as in trapdoor

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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 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 Then Iraq’s new rulers lowered a paper portcullis, demanding fees and the completion of myriad forms. — The Economist, 10 Apr. 2021

Recent Examples of Synonyms for portcullis

Noun

Daredevils dig Screaming Hyena, a 60-foot trapdoor slide that drops from the roof!

— Alicia Underlee Nelson, Midwest Living, 15 July 2026
Then around a dozen defendants took their seats after climbing steps that led directly from the basement floor into a courtroom trapdoor.

— Kaya Genç, The Dial, 9 June 2026

Definition of trapdoor

Noun

After what’s been a revolving door for coaches in Iowa, Bickel believes this could be a longer-term fit.

— Joe Smith, New York Times, 23 July 2026
Though Colbert only signed off for the last time on The Late Show in May, Kimmel invited the pop culture icon to host his own Jimmy Kimmel Live amid a revolving door of guest stars stepping in while Kimmel goes on a summer hiatus.

— Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 23 July 2026

Definition of revolving door

Noun

Hodge added only one run to his overnight score of 83, but overall added 91 runs with Hope for the fourth-wicket stand which revived West Indies hopes of putting up a challenging first innings total.

— ABC News, ABC News, 26 July 2026
Australia reigned supreme in the T20 World Cup final with a crushing seven-wicket victory over England, completed with 17 balls to spare in front of a Lord’s crowd of 28,887, a record for women’s cricket.

— Paul Newman, New York Times, 5 July 2026

Definition of wicket

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portals

portcullis

portcullises

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“Portcullis.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portcullis. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of portcullis

noun

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