fortress
8 synonyms for fortress, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A large, heavily defended building or town built to withstand attack.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use fortress
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
impenetrable fortress
ancient fortress
fortress walls
Etymology
From Old French forteresce, "strong place," from Latin fortis, "strong."
Full origin of fortress →Frequently asked questions
What does “fortress” mean?
The word “fortress” means a large, heavily defended building or town built to withstand attack. In plain terms, a large, heavily fortified stronghold built for defense.
How do you pronounce “fortress”?
“Fortress” is pronounced FAW-truhs (/ˈfoɹ.tɹɪs/ in IPA).
How do you use “fortress” in a sentence?
Here is “fortress” used in a sentence: “The medieval fortress still stands on the hilltop.”
What is another word for “fortress”?
Words with a similar meaning to “fortress” include bastion, bulwark, citadel and stronghold.
What part of speech is “fortress”?
“Fortress” is a noun.
Where does the word “fortress” come from?
The word “fortress” comes from Latin. From Old French forteresce, "strong place," from Latin fortis, "strong.".
Is “fortress” a common word?
“Fortress” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between a fortress and a castle?
A fortress is any large, heavily defended building or town built to withstand attack, with its primary purpose being military defense. A castle is a specific type of fortified structure that traditionally also served as a residence for a monarch or noble, combining defense with living quarters.
What is the difference between a fortress and a citadel?
A fortress refers broadly to any heavily defended structure or fortified town built to withstand attack. A citadel is more specific, typically referring to a fortress that protects or overlooks a city, often built on higher ground within or beside it.
Can fortress be used figuratively?
Yes. Fortress is often used figuratively to describe something that is well-protected or hard to penetrate, such as calling a heavily guarded home or a strong defensive sports team a fortress.
