bulwark
1 of 2noun
bul·wark ˈbu̇l-(ˌ)wərk 
-ˌwȯrk;
ˈbəl-(ˌ)wərk;
sense 3 also ˈbə-ˌläk
1
a
: a solid wall-like structure raised for defense : rampart
b
: breakwater, seawall
building a bulwark in the harbor
2
: a strong support or protection
democratic principles that stand as a bulwark against tyranny
a bulwark of freedom
3
nautical : the side of a ship above the upper deck —usually used in plural
bulwark
2 of 2verb
bulwarked; bulwarking; bulwarks
transitive verb
: to fortify or safeguard with a bulwark
ability to bulwark a moral choice
Margaret Mead
Margaret Mead
Synonyms
Verb
- cover
- defend
- fence
- fend
- forfend
- guard
- keep
- protect
- safeguard
- screen
- secure
- shield
- ward
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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 Elvia Limón, Los Angeles Times, 22 June 2022 Democrats need to be a bulwark against Republican extremism. Jill Filipovic, CNN, 11 May 2022 With sufficient resources, leadership, and partnerships, state parties can be a bulwark against attacks on democracy. Ben Wikler, The New Republic, 28 Feb. 2022 Conservatives cherished him as a bulwark against atonal chaos. Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2022 For President Tshisekedi, casting his nation as a bulwark against global warming has met with political realities. New York Times, 24 July 2022 This has left big tech companies like Twitter in the unique position of being a major bulwark against government censorship. Wired, 14 July 2022 The persistent desire of many businesses to hire and grow is providing a bulwark against the likelihood that the economy will tip into recession over the next year. Christopher Rugaber, Anchorage Daily News, 8 July 2022 The persistent desire of many businesses to hire and grow is providing a bulwark against the likelihood that the economy will tip into recession. Christopher Rugaber, Chicago Tribune, 8 July 2022 Los Angeles Times, 24 Nov. 2020 The company is hoping to bulwark itself in an uncertain economy. Lucinda Shen, Fortune, 4 May 2020 Iconic businesses would be boarded up, as if bulwarked against some invading army. James Ross Gardner, The New Yorker, 21 Mar. 2020 But so is lasting peace, bulwarked by the safeguarding of human rights — particularly for Afghan women — and the prevention of Afghanistan again becoming a haven for terrorism. Chicago Tribune, Twin Cities, 8 Sep. 2019 Even Einstein, the prototypical loner, was bulwarked by a vast correspondence of arguing and discussion. Dennis Overbye, New York Times, 31 Oct. 2016 See More
Noun
His promise of sweeping change in a country that has long been a bulwark of regional stability has many in Washington on edge. Elvia Limón, Los Angeles Times, 22 June 2022 Democrats need to be a bulwark against Republican extremism. Jill Filipovic, CNN, 11 May 2022 With sufficient resources, leadership, and partnerships, state parties can be a bulwark against attacks on democracy. Ben Wikler, The New Republic, 28 Feb. 2022 Conservatives cherished him as a bulwark against atonal chaos. Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2022 For President Tshisekedi, casting his nation as a bulwark against global warming has met with political realities. New York Times, 24 July 2022 This has left big tech companies like Twitter in the unique position of being a major bulwark against government censorship. Wired, 14 July 2022 The persistent desire of many businesses to hire and grow is providing a bulwark against the likelihood that the economy will tip into recession over the next year. Christopher Rugaber, Anchorage Daily News, 8 July 2022 The persistent desire of many businesses to hire and grow is providing a bulwark against the likelihood that the economy will tip into recession. Christopher Rugaber, Chicago Tribune, 8 July 2022 Verb
The goal is to bulwark oil and gas against ambitious climate change policies by claiming the moral high ground — even as those fuels kindle a global crisis that disproportionately harms people who aren’t white. Los Angeles Times, 24 Nov. 2020 The company is hoping to bulwark itself in an uncertain economy. Lucinda Shen, Fortune, 4 May 2020 Iconic businesses would be boarded up, as if bulwarked against some invading army. James Ross Gardner, The New Yorker, 21 Mar. 2020 But so is lasting peace, bulwarked by the safeguarding of human rights — particularly for Afghan women — and the prevention of Afghanistan again becoming a haven for terrorism. Chicago Tribune, Twin Cities, 8 Sep. 2019 Even Einstein, the prototypical loner, was bulwarked by a vast correspondence of arguing and discussion. Dennis Overbye, New York Times, 31 Oct. 2016 See More 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
Kids Definition
bulwark
noun
bul·wark ˈbu̇l-wərk
1
: a solid structure like a wall built for defense against an enemy
2
: something that defends or protects
bulwarking
verb
as in protecting
to drive danger or attack away from vowed to use any means necessary to bulwark the country against attack Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- protecting
- defending
- safeguarding
- shielding
- guarding
- forfending
- fencing
- securing
- keeping
- saving
- fending
- screening
- standing up for
- preventing
- warding
- covering
- opposing
- preserving
- withstanding
- resisting
- fighting
- conserving
- averting
- warring
- contending
- buffering
- battling
- picketing
- palisading
- walling
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- attacking
- assailing
- assaulting
- bombarding
- storming
- yielding
- submitting
- besieging
- overrunning
- besetting
- caving
- capitulating