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
Led by the jihadi group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the insurgents have declared their intention to push toward Homs and ultimately Damascus, the stronghold of President Bashar al-Assad.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2024
Later, during the English Civil War, Corfe Castle was owned by the prominent Bankes family, which supported Charles I. The royalist stronghold faced two sieges in 1643 and 1645, and parliamentarian forces ultimately destroyed much of the structure.
—Olatunji Osho-Williams, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Dec. 2024
The Empire State and Golden State are currently considered left-leaning strongholds that have been key to Democratic victories and power in recent years.
—Tara Suter, The Hill, 23 Dec. 2024
In the end, the GOP will maintain its stronghold on legislative politics in the state, maintaining its supermajority status in the House with 75 seats and 27 seats in the Senate.
—Vivian Jones, The Tennessean, 20 Dec. 2024
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Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2024
Later, during the English Civil War, Corfe Castle was owned by the prominent Bankes family, which supported Charles I. The royalist stronghold faced two sieges in 1643 and 1645, and parliamentarian forces ultimately destroyed much of the structure.
—Olatunji Osho-Williams, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Dec. 2024
The Empire State and Golden State are currently considered left-leaning strongholds that have been key to Democratic victories and power in recent years.
—Tara Suter, The Hill, 23 Dec. 2024
In the end, the GOP will maintain its stronghold on legislative politics in the state, maintaining its supermajority status in the House with 75 seats and 27 seats in the Senate.
—Vivian Jones, The Tennessean, 20 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for stronghold
Dictionary Entries Near stronghold
Cite this Entry
“Stronghold.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stronghold. Accessed 14 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
stronghold
noun
strong·hold
ˈstrȯŋ-ˌhōld
: fortress
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