Bulwark — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈbu̇l-(ˌ)wərk/ bul·wark

Meaning & Definition of Bulwark

Bulwark (noun)

  1. a solid wall-like structure raised for defense, rampart
  2. breakwater, seawall
  3. a strong support or protection

Bulwark (verb)

  1. to fortify or safeguard with a bulwark

Bulwark (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to drive danger or attack away from

    "vowed to use any means necessary to bulwark the country against attack"

    similar: cover, defend, fence, fend, forfend, guard, keep, protect, safeguard, screen, secure, shield, ward, stand up for
    related: avert, prevent, oppose, resist, withstand, battle, contend, fight, war, conserve, preserve, save, buffer, palisade, picket, wall
    opposite: assail, assault, attack
    near: bombard, storm, beset, besiege, overrun, capitulate, cave, submit, yield

Bulwark (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in rampart, parapet

    similar: battlement, breastwork, earthwork, embattlement, parapet, rampart, bastion, castle, citadel, fastness, fort, fortification, fortress, hold, redoubt, stronghold, bunker, dugout, blockhouse, garrison house, alcazar, casbah

  2. as in support, buttress

    similar: anchorage, bed, brace, buttress, framework, infrastructure, mount, prop, shore, stay, substratum, substructure, support, base, basis, bedrock, bottom, cornerstone, footing, foundation, ground, groundwork, keystone, root, underpinning, warp, warp and woof, assumption, justification, premise, presumption, presupposition, rationale, supposition, theory, thesis, warrant, backbone, center, core, eye, focus, heart, hub, kernel, nucleus, seat, essence, quintessence, soul, touchstone

  3. as in embankment

    similar: embankment, butte, cuesta, hogback, tor, declivity, drop-off, pitch, barranca, bluff, cliff, crag, escarpment, palisade, precipice, scar, scarp

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Bulwark

The most common words with a similar meaning to Bulwark:

cover, defend, fence, fend, forfend, guard, keep, protect, safeguard, screen, secure, shield, ward, stand up for, battlement, breastwork, earthwork, embattlement, parapet, rampart, bastion, castle, citadel, fastness, fort, fortification, fortress, hold, redoubt, stronghold, bunker, dugout, blockhouse, garrison house, alcazar, casbah, anchorage, bed, brace, buttress

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Bulwark

Words with the opposite meaning of Bulwark:

assail, assault, attack

Related Words for Bulwark

avert, prevent, oppose, resist, withstand, battle, contend, fight, war, conserve, preserve, save, buffer, picket, wall

Near Antonyms of Bulwark

bombard, storm, beset, besiege, overrun, capitulate, cave, submit, yield

Word Forms of Bulwark

Inflections: bulwarked, bulwarking, bulwarks

Origin & Etymology of Bulwark

Middle English bulwerke, from Middle Dutch bolwerc, from bolle tree trunk + werc work

First known use: 15th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Bulwark

Frequently Asked Questions about Bulwark

What does "Bulwark" mean?

"Bulwark" means a solid wall-like structure raised for defense, rampart. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: a solid wall-like structure raised for defense, rampart. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Bulwark"?

Other words for "Bulwark" include cover, defend, fence, fend, forfend, guard, keep and protect. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Bulwark" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Bulwark"?

There are 119 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Bulwark". Common alternatives include cover, defend, fence, fend, forfend, guard, keep, protect, safeguard and screen.

What is the opposite of "Bulwark"?

Antonyms of "Bulwark" include assail, assault and attack. Near antonyms include bombard, storm, beset and besiege.

How do you use "Bulwark" in a sentence?

Examples of "Bulwark" in a sentence: "vowed to use any means necessary to bulwark the country against attack".

Is "Bulwark" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Bulwark" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

Is "Bulwark" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C2-level word, "Bulwark" is typical of Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE), IELTS band 8.5–9.0, TOEFL iBT 114–120, PTE Academic 85–90. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Bulwark"?

"Bulwark" is pronounced /ˈbu̇l-(ˌ)wərk/ and divided into syllables as bul·wark.