Definition of BULWARKS (original) (raw)
1
a
: a solid wall-like structure raised for defense : rampart
2
: a strong support or protection
democratic principles that stand as a bulwark against tyranny
3
nautical : the side of a ship above the upper deck —usually used in plural
Synonyms
Examples of bulwark in a Sentence
Noun
democratic principles that stand as a bulwark against tyranny Verb
vowed to use any means necessary to bulwark the country against a terrorist attack
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.
Energy-hungry India, a vital democratic bulwark against China, could fulfill that role. —
Wesley Alexander Hill, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025 The Biden administration passed a rule in 2024 intended as a bulwark against Trump's resurrection of Schedule F. —Daniel Wiessner, USA TODAY, 22 Jan. 2025
The Syrian port of Tartus has been a key hub for Russian vessels for more than five decades and has grown in importance since the start of Russian President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, giving Moscow a Mediterranean presence and bulwark against NATO. —Mark R. Weaver, Newsweek, 4 Dec. 2024 These were not men like Elon Musk fretting about virility as some bulwark against extinction. —Hua Hsu, The New Yorker, 16 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for bulwark 
Word History
Etymology
Noun and Verb
Middle English bulwerke, from Middle Dutch bolwerc, from bolle tree trunk + werc work
First Known Use
Noun
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Verb
15th century, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of bulwark was in the 15th century
Dictionary Entries Near bulwark
Cite this Entry
“Bulwark.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bulwark. Accessed 12 Feb. 2025.
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Last Updated: 1 Feb 2025 - Updated example sentences
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