stronghold
noun
strong·hold
ˈstrȯŋ-ˌhōld 
1
: a fortified place
2
a
: a place of security or survival
one of the last strongholds of the ancient Gaelic language—
George Holmes
George Holmes
b
: a place dominated by a particular group or marked by a particular characteristic
a Republican stronghold
strongholds of snobbery—Lionel Trilling
Lionel TrillingSynonyms
Examples of stronghold in a Sentence
The area is a Republican stronghold.
The rebels retreated to their mountain stronghold.
the last stronghold of the endangered deer
Recent Examples on the Web
In addition to gaining control of state legislatures in purple states, the Democratic outfit aims to win in competitive districts in Republican-leaning strongholds.
—Ian Max Stevenson, Idaho Statesman, 30 May 2024
His win represents a stronghold for the more moderate side of the Republican Party in Texas, said Cal Jillson, a political science professor at Southern Methodist University.
—Cody Copeland, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 May 2024
More than 1 million civilians are sheltering in the southern Gaza city, which is the last major stronghold of Hamas, the militant group that carried out the deadly Oct. 7 attack on Israel.
—Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2024
For months, Biden has twisted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s arm privately and lashed out publicly in an effort to prevent Israel from taking out Hamas’s remaining stronghold in Rafah, which is also believed to be the location of the hostages still being held.
—The Editors, National Review, 9 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for stronghold 
Ian Max Stevenson, Idaho Statesman, 30 May 2024
His win represents a stronghold for the more moderate side of the Republican Party in Texas, said Cal Jillson, a political science professor at Southern Methodist University.
—Cody Copeland, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 May 2024
More than 1 million civilians are sheltering in the southern Gaza city, which is the last major stronghold of Hamas, the militant group that carried out the deadly Oct. 7 attack on Israel.
—Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2024
For months, Biden has twisted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s arm privately and lashed out publicly in an effort to prevent Israel from taking out Hamas’s remaining stronghold in Rafah, which is also believed to be the location of the hostages still being held.
—The Editors, National Review, 9 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for stronghold
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'stronghold.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near stronghold
Cite this Entry
“Stronghold.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stronghold. Accessed 6 Jun. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
stronghold
noun
strong·hold
ˈstrȯŋ-ˌhōld
: fortress
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