stronghold

[strawng-hohld, strong-]

noun

1. a well-fortified place; fortress.

   Synonyms: bastion, bulwark

2. a place that serves as the center of a group, as of militants or of persons holding hold holding a controversial viewpoint.

   The campus was a stronghold of liberalism.

   Synonyms: refuge, home, bastion, bulwark

stronghold

/ ˈstrɒŋˌhəʊld /

noun

1. a defensible place; fortress

2. a major centre or area of predominance

Word History and Origins

Origin of stronghold¹

late Middle English word dating back to 1375–1425; strong, hold ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of stronghold¹

C15: from _strong + _hold ¹ (in the archaic sense: a fortified place)

Example Sentences

It says its months-long operation in the territory's north is aimed at cracking down on several camps that are strongholds of Palestinian armed groups.

Read more on Barron's

And what a disaster that has been—especially in the Democratic strongholds of America’s big cities.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

In office since November 2023, Noboa has deployed soldiers on the streets and in prisons, launched dramatic raids on drug strongholds, and declared frequent states of emergency -- criticized by human rights groups.

Read more on Barron's

Violence has escalated dramatically in recent weeks, with the RSF seizing control of the key town of El-Fasher -- the army's last stronghold in Darfur -- after an 18-month siege and reports of atrocities multiplying.

Read more on Barron's

There has been a UN arms embargo on the RSF's stronghold of Darfur since 2004, but it has not been extended to the rest of the country despite calls from human rights groups.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• bastion 
• fortress 
• garrison 
• redoubt