bulwark

1 of 2

noun

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 2

verb

bulwarked; bulwarking; bulwarks

transitive verb

: to fortify or safeguard with a bulwark

ability to bulwark a moral choice

—Margaret Mead

Synonyms

Verb

• cover
• defend
• fence
• fend
• forfend
• guard
• keep
• protect
• safeguard
• screen
• secure
• shield
• ward

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

Noun

In fact, the more humiliated and insecure Iran becomes, the more likely the regime in Tehran will see Hezbollah as a necessary bulwark against Israel, especially if the organization manages to restore Iran’s trust in its capabilities. —Mohanad Hage Ali, Foreign Affairs, 1 Nov. 2024

But the letter from Jeffries — who many hope will be the first Black American to hold the speaker’s gavel — throws into question whether even that bulwark might be developing cracks. —Karen Tumulty, Washington Post, 12 July 2024

Verb

These were not men like Elon Musk fretting about virility as some bulwark against extinction. —Hua Hsu, The New Yorker, 16 June 2024

This makes Iraq a weak but vital ally and bulwark against Iranian influence. —Michael Wahid Hanna, Foreign Affairs, 14 Feb. 2019

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-(ˌ)wərk,

-ˌwȯrk;

ˈbəl-(ˌ)wərk

1

: a solid structure like a wall built for defense

2

: a strong support or protection

3

: the side of a ship above the upper deck

—usually used in plural

Etymology

Noun

Middle English bulwerke "bulwark," from early Dutch bolwerc (same meaning) — related to boulevard