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bulwark Definition

bul·wark (bo̵ol′wərk, bul′-)

noun

  1. an earthwork or defensive wall; fortified rampart
  2. breakwater
  3. a person or thing serving as a strong defense or protection
  4. the part of a ship's side above the deck

Etymology: ME bulwerk < MDu bolwerc: see bole & work

transitive verb

  1. to provide bulwarks for
  2. to be a bulwark to

bulwark Synonyms

bulwark

n.

buttress, outwork, rampart; see barrier, defense 2, fortification 2, support 2.

bulwark Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • reaction: Tsarist Russia, which held something like 60 % of Polish territory, formed the bulwark of reaction in Europe.
  • democracy: All rely on that bulwark of democracy, tolerance of the feelings of others.
  • capitalism: Media institutions have become bulwarks of global capitalism not only ideologically, but also economically.
  • truth: He regards the church as being the pillar and bulwark of the truth.

Converse of object

  • remain: The monopoly of foreign trade remains a bulwark against the economic intervention of capitalism.
  • become: The 20th century also left its mark, when the islands became bulwarks in Europeâs WWII Atlantic Wall.
  • form: They are said to be keys to the borders Each tribe forming a formidable bulwark.

Preposition: against

  • communism: Religion: Buddhism is the state religion, but there is freedom of religion as they are seen as bulwarks against communism.
  • fascism: The question on the ballot paper was not, ' Do you think Chirac is an adequate bulwark against fascism?
  • threat: Britain no longer needed a strong Ottoman state as a bulwark against a possible Russian threat, as it had needed hitherto.
  • government: Washington's hope is to forge the mountainous Kurdish north into a united bulwark against the Iraqi government.
  • extremism: One of the historic duties of the Conservative Party is to provide a bulwark against such extremism.

Adjective modifier

  • solid: The towerhouse is the oldest part of the castle, built as a solid bulwark against attack during the turbulent 14th century.
  • strong: The purpose of this movement is establishment of a strong spiritual bulwark for a happy life of mankind.
  • main: It was to be suggested that the Trials themselves weakened Soviet Russia, considered the main bulwark against fascism.
  • great: Gordon Brown's five tests are really no great bulwark against membership.
  • only: Nelson's Navy The Royal Navy was the mainstay of the British Empire for 300 years, and Britain's only bulwark against invasion.
  • last: Surely the British would now see that Germany was central Europe's last bulwark against the hordes of Asia?