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 these resistance strongholds, where people from around the nation have congregated, there is almost no internet, cell service or even electricity.
—Hannah Beech Adam Ferguson, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2024
They had been considered democratic strongholds, something called Blue Wall states.
—Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 17 Apr. 2024
In the coming days, Biden will likely press to forestall plans for a direct assault on Rafah, a city in Gaza that serves as Hamas’s last stronghold.
—Dexter Filkins, The New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2024
State significance Wyoming is considered a Republican stronghold, having voted for the GOP nominee for president in all elections since 1964.
—Abc News, ABC News, 13 Apr. 2024
But defense officials said troops were merely regrouping as the army prepares to move into Hamas' last stronghold, Rafah.
—Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 8 Apr. 2024
More than 250 people were taken hostage and moved to Hamas’ Gaza stronghold.
—Bianna Golodryga, CNN, 7 Apr. 2024
Take a look → Mysterious wooden train car — almost 100 years old — unearthed in Belgium, photos show
During WWII, the Nazi German Army built a military stronghold at the Directeur-Generaal Willemspark in Knokke-Heist, officials said.
—Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2024
The Republican parties in Milwaukee and Dane counties filed complaints accusing election officials in Wisconsin's two Democratic strongholds of failing to hire the number of Republican election workers required by law in last week's election.
—Alison Dirr, Journal Sentinel, 10 Apr. 2024
Hannah Beech Adam Ferguson, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2024
They had been considered democratic strongholds, something called Blue Wall states.
—Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 17 Apr. 2024
In the coming days, Biden will likely press to forestall plans for a direct assault on Rafah, a city in Gaza that serves as Hamas’s last stronghold.
—Dexter Filkins, The New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2024
State significance Wyoming is considered a Republican stronghold, having voted for the GOP nominee for president in all elections since 1964.
—Abc News, ABC News, 13 Apr. 2024
But defense officials said troops were merely regrouping as the army prepares to move into Hamas' last stronghold, Rafah.
—Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 8 Apr. 2024
More than 250 people were taken hostage and moved to Hamas’ Gaza stronghold.
—Bianna Golodryga, CNN, 7 Apr. 2024
Take a look → Mysterious wooden train car — almost 100 years old — unearthed in Belgium, photos show
During WWII, the Nazi German Army built a military stronghold at the Directeur-Generaal Willemspark in Knokke-Heist, officials said.
—Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2024
The Republican parties in Milwaukee and Dane counties filed complaints accusing election officials in Wisconsin's two Democratic strongholds of failing to hire the number of Republican election workers required by law in last week's election.
—Alison Dirr, Journal Sentinel, 10 Apr. 2024
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 1 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
stronghold
noun
strong·hold
ˈstrȯŋ-ˌhōld
: fortress
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