as in fortresses
a structure or place from which one can resist attack
the island was the pirates' last stronghold in the West Indies
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Recent Examples of strongholds
Orban's tour of five destinations in one week focuses on places that were formerly Fidesz strongholds that polls suggest are now battleground constituencies.
—
Arkansas Online, 17 Mar. 2026
The toll is lower than at this point in 2025 — a record year for violence that began with Israel invading northern West Bank cities that the military said were militant strongholds.
—Sam Metz, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2026
The warehouse purchases have surprised some communities, with local officials in some Republican strongholds expressing concerns that the facilities would drain resources and can’t be supported by existing infrastructure.
—Catherine E. Shoichet, CNN Money, 13 Mar. 2026
While Machar is currently on trial for offenses including treason, fighting has intensified in areas seen as his strongholds, where government troops are trying to disperse the rebels.
—ABC News, 6 Mar. 2026
Paxton relied on conservative strongholds in outer suburbs and rural areas to remain competitive.
—Taylor Nichols, Austin American Statesman, 4 Mar. 2026
Davids picked up more rural constituents in Miami, Franklin, and Anderson counties during the last round of partisan redistricting in 2022, when state lawmakers drew Lawrence and northern Wyandotte County — both progressive strongholds — out of the 3rd Congressional District.
—Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 23 Feb. 2026
Officials in one of the city’s Republican strongholds criticized the move.
—Dallas Morning News, 23 Feb. 2026
In Texas' four largest cities, which are all Democratic strongholds, the mayor is limited to eight years in office.
—Saul Pink, San Antonio Express-News, 20 Feb. 2026
Arkansas Online, 17 Mar. 2026
The toll is lower than at this point in 2025 — a record year for violence that began with Israel invading northern West Bank cities that the military said were militant strongholds.
—Sam Metz, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2026
The warehouse purchases have surprised some communities, with local officials in some Republican strongholds expressing concerns that the facilities would drain resources and can’t be supported by existing infrastructure.
—Catherine E. Shoichet, CNN Money, 13 Mar. 2026
While Machar is currently on trial for offenses including treason, fighting has intensified in areas seen as his strongholds, where government troops are trying to disperse the rebels.
—ABC News, 6 Mar. 2026
Paxton relied on conservative strongholds in outer suburbs and rural areas to remain competitive.
—Taylor Nichols, Austin American Statesman, 4 Mar. 2026
Davids picked up more rural constituents in Miami, Franklin, and Anderson counties during the last round of partisan redistricting in 2022, when state lawmakers drew Lawrence and northern Wyandotte County — both progressive strongholds — out of the 3rd Congressional District.
—Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 23 Feb. 2026
Officials in one of the city’s Republican strongholds criticized the move.
—Dallas Morning News, 23 Feb. 2026
In Texas' four largest cities, which are all Democratic strongholds, the mayor is limited to eight years in office.
—Saul Pink, San Antonio Express-News, 20 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strongholds
Noun
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Surface tanks are targets; subsurface reservoirs are fortresses.—
Siddharth Misra,
Fortune,
6 Mar. 2026
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France believed its Maginot Line of fortresses was impregnable – until the Germans simply went around it.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
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City types of a certain age have been dismayed at the loss of one of the Square Mile’s bastions.—
Ian King,
CNBC,
18 Feb. 2026
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Even among these bastions of heritage, however, few private domains can match the singular grandeur of Hillandale.—
Mark David,
Robb Report,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Even though the border was relatively quiet for years, Israel also prepared for the next war with Hezbollah, gathering intelligence and building its own fortifications.—
Oren Liebermann,
CNN Money,
6 Mar. 2026
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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the deadly strike was caused by an Iranian weapon that made it through both air defenses and the operations center's fortifications.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
3 Mar. 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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Six months to be around castles and fire and monsters and beauty and pain and all these things.—
David Morgan,
CBS News,
12 Mar. 2026
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Ahead, 10 of the best castles on Airbnb from around the world.—
Elly Leavitt,
Vogue,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Visitors can explore old military forts and climb the picturesque black-and-white striped 1773 Tybee Island Light Station.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
12 Mar. 2026
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History buffs can explore forts, museums, and historic homes, while art aficionados discover vibrant street murals, world-class collections, and intimate galleries tucked away in seaside towns.—
Carrie Honaker,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Strongholds.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strongholds. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
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