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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of strongholds
More than 140 polling stations were closed on voting day in the country’s two most-populous regions, Amhara and Oromo — both opposition strongholds — over safety concerns sparked by armed groups fighting the government.
—
Jenny Vaughan,
semafor.com,
22 June 2026
As a result, Democrats make inroads even on longtime local Republican strongholds.
—
Matthew Blinstrubas,
Hartford Courant,
21 June 2026
Thanks to climate change, mosquitoes are now found in nearly every corner of the planet, far beyond their strongholds in South America, Central America and Africa.
—
Brenda Goodman,
CNN Money,
19 June 2026
Founded by veteran producer and executive Michael Africk, the company is positioning itself at the forefront of efforts to expand J-pop’s reach beyond its traditional strongholds without diluting the cultural identity that makes the genre distinct.
—
Spin Staff,
SPIN,
15 June 2026
With nearly all the votes counted, Angelenos are now getting a more granular understanding of the strongholds built up by each of the top three mayoral candidates.
—
Los Angeles Times,
13 June 2026
Valdez holds a narrow lead in polling of the race that analysts see as a test of Mamdani’s popularity in the district that includes progressive strongholds in western Queens and northern Brooklyn.
—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
12 June 2026
Boston, the lone plaintiff in the lawsuit, asserted that the measure violates the state and federal constitutions and targets Democratic strongholds under the guise of taking politics out of those elections.
—
ABC News,
3 June 2026
Fulton, DeKalb and Clayton counties have long been Democratic strongholds, while Cobb and Gwinnett have shifted increasingly toward Democrats in recent election cycles.
—
Zachary Bynum,
CBS News,
3 June 2026
Jenny Vaughan,
semafor.com,
22 June 2026
As a result, Democrats make inroads even on longtime local Republican strongholds.
—
Matthew Blinstrubas,
Hartford Courant,
21 June 2026
Thanks to climate change, mosquitoes are now found in nearly every corner of the planet, far beyond their strongholds in South America, Central America and Africa.
—
Brenda Goodman,
CNN Money,
19 June 2026
Founded by veteran producer and executive Michael Africk, the company is positioning itself at the forefront of efforts to expand J-pop’s reach beyond its traditional strongholds without diluting the cultural identity that makes the genre distinct.
—
Spin Staff,
SPIN,
15 June 2026
With nearly all the votes counted, Angelenos are now getting a more granular understanding of the strongholds built up by each of the top three mayoral candidates.
—
Los Angeles Times,
13 June 2026
Valdez holds a narrow lead in polling of the race that analysts see as a test of Mamdani’s popularity in the district that includes progressive strongholds in western Queens and northern Brooklyn.
—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
12 June 2026
Boston, the lone plaintiff in the lawsuit, asserted that the measure violates the state and federal constitutions and targets Democratic strongholds under the guise of taking politics out of those elections.
—
ABC News,
3 June 2026
Fulton, DeKalb and Clayton counties have long been Democratic strongholds, while Cobb and Gwinnett have shifted increasingly toward Democrats in recent election cycles.
—
Zachary Bynum,
CBS News,
3 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strongholds
Noun
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Some, like France's Maginot Line, became border fortresses stretching for miles, while German coastal defenses sat on the cliffs of Normandy, requiring the Allies to take out with sea bombardments and direct infantry assaults.
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The trailers show that Eternia was once a vibrant alien-like world with multi-colored forests, massive mountains and fortresses with towering faces carved into their entrances.
Noun
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These organizations claim to be bastions of journalism, Defenders of Democracy, and heroes in the fight for truth in government.
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Bored Lord and AceMo, longtime bastions of their respective coastal scenes, offer up two rumbling club heaters.
Noun
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By the Second World War, pillboxes had become standard defense fortifications.
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Cannons and fortifications are also on the grounds.
Noun
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One of the oldest citadels in the Middle East, Jerash has seen an unbroken chain of human occupation since the Bronze Age.
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The story is a bit murkier than Manichaean talk of stormers and citadels.
Noun
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Scenic cruising through the Moselle Valley reveals a landscape of steep vineyards and hilltop castles, complemented by AmaWaterways’ exclusive tour of Burg Lahneck Castle and its storied past.
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The figures for the first time give the public a concrete idea about the King’s personal wealth, as opposed to the castles, jewels and artwork that go with the job but aren’t the monarch’s personal property.
Noun
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But everyday people expressed their political outrage time and again, throwing rocks at and demolishing the houses of government officials, torching the king’s ships and forts and, eventually, marching to battle.
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The plan also urges African countries to preserve former slave forts and castles as memorial sites.
Cite this Entry
“Strongholds.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strongholds. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.
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