stronghold

noun

strong·​hold ˈstrȯŋ-ˌhōld How to pronounce stronghold (audio)
Synonyms of stronghold
1
: a fortified place
2
a
: a place of security or survival
… one of the last strongholds of the ancient Gaelic language …—George Holmes
b
: a place dominated by a particular group or marked by a particular characteristic
a Republican/Democratic stronghold
strongholds of snobbery—Lionel Trilling

Synonyms of stronghold

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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
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.
Arizona stands out as the lone swing state among the president’s recent stops, though the airport rally will be in an area of the state known as a Republican stronghold. — Will Weissert, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026 Arizona stands out as the lone swing state among the president's recent stops, though the airport rally will be in an area of the state known as a Republican stronghold. — ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026 Gubernatorial candidate Rob Sand is seeking to provide an example in Iowa to other Democrats of how to win voters in Republican strongholds. — Gabrielle M. Etzel, The Washington Examiner, 13 Oct. 2026 According to the report, Houthi forces shot down a Saudi drone over the group's stronghold in Saada province, which also borders Saudi Arabia. — Frank Andrews, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for stronghold

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of stronghold was in the 15th century

Rhymes for stronghold

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Browse Nearby Words

stronghearted
stronghold
strongish
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Cite this Entry

“Stronghold.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stronghold. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

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