stronghold

noun

ˈstrȯŋ-ˌhōld How to pronounce stronghold (audio)
Definition of strongholdnext
as in fortress
a structure or place from which one can resist attack the island was the pirates' last stronghold in the West Indies

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Example Sentences

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 stronghold The three are all historically Democratic strongholds that voted for former Vice President Kamala Harris in 2024. — Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026 While those positions play solidly in Democratic strongholds like New York, the triumph of a democratic socialist in conservative Florida has caught the country’s attention. — Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 20 Aug. 2026 But their turnout in Broward, the state’s last big remaining Democratic stronghold, faltered. — Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 19 Aug. 2026 The ad airs as Hinojosa, a state lawmaker, has aggressively looked to exploit an undercurrent of discontent in rural, Republican strongholds over data centers’ perceived threat to rural life, ranchland and dwindling water supplies. — Marc Levy, Fortune, 19 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for stronghold
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stronghold
  1. fortress
  2. bastion
  3. citadel
  4. fortification
  5. castle
  6. fort
Noun
  • The terrain is a natural fortress, and bombing is of limited effectiveness.
    — Danielle Parker, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026
  • There is a micronation on a fortress at sea off the coast of Great Britain, and the British government once considered blowing it up.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of fortress
Noun
  • The area was incredibly special to Chamberlain, who first came out East to stay with Larry Rivers in Southampton, long before the town was a bastion of Sant Ambroeus and Brandy Melville.
    — Nate Freeman, Vanity Fair, 21 Aug. 2026
  • He was tracked down in the town of Jesús María, a bastion of Los Chapitos on the outskirts of Culiacán, where another of El Chapo’s sons, Ovidio Guzmán López, was arrested after a firefight in 2023.
    — Senior Editor, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of bastion
Noun
  • One night, a cockroach breaches his citadel, and Pratt swiftly dispatches it.
    — Asim Ali, Time, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Laelaps was sent to chase a fox that was terrorizing the Cadmea, a citadel.
    — Maddie Rhodes, USA Today, 24 July 2026
Definition of citadel
Noun
  • During the seven years that it was occupied by British forces, Manhattan had been ravaged by fires, picked over by looters, covered in fortifications, and swollen with refugees.
    — Eric Lach, New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The historic military fort overlooks the entrance to the Halifax Harbour and boasts old fortifications, historic artifacts, and unbeatable ocean views.
    — Kaitlyn McInnis, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of fortification
Noun
  • Aargau Cantonal Police said one person was killed and five others were wounded after shots were fired at the event in the town of Aarau, a scenic area known for its lush valleys, medieval castles and thermal springs.
    — Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The mountains, castles, and ruins of Ashina enable a unique traversal system.
    — Aman Kumar, Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of castle
Noun
  • The spa, in the fort’s ancient temple, blends Ayurveda with Six Senses’ inimitable touch.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Just across the sidewalk from the West Martello Tower, a Civil War-era fort where the Garden Club is housed, lies an unkempt field of grass, worn out by dehydration and footsteps.
    — Oliver Wu, Rolling Stone, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of fort

Browse Nearby Words

strong drinks
stronghold
strongholds
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Stronghold.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stronghold. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on stronghold

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about stronghold

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of apiary

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All