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to bulwark

to bulwark

8.2
To protect someone or something by giving strong support like a wall
  • verb
  • /ˈbʊlwərk/
translation icon : blindar
  • They used the thick walls of the castle to bulwark themselves from invaders.

Examples

  • There is just too much fragile self-esteem, bulwarked by brittle pride, at stake.

    Blog text (19)
  • And I think that we do a lot of this stuff to kind of bulwark ourselves against that constant realization.

  • Jabotinsky coined the notion of "the iron wall" to denote his vision of a Jewish state as an armored fortress bulwarked against its neighbors, whom he believed would never accept it as a legitimate political entity.

    Academic text (2017)
  • The soldiers built a fort to bulwark the area from enemy attacks.

  • To bulwark their reputation, the company implemented stricter quality control measures.

Synonyms

to protect
vsto bulwark
1.0

To keep someone or something safe from harm

adds the idea of a strong, supporting barrier or safeguard
to defend
vsto bulwark
1.3

To protect people and things from attack or harm

focuses more on guarded protection using a solid supporting barrier
to cover
vsto bulwark
352 1.9

To protect someone, for example by guarding them in a game

is more about a solid supporting barrier rather than broad safety
to brace
vsto bulwark
150 4.4

To make something stronger or prepare yourself for something difficult

applies the same support idea but with a stronger defensive sense
to shield
vsto bulwark
146 2.7

To protect someone or something from harm

focuses more on defence by strong support or safeguard
to shield from
vsto bulwark
56 3.3

To protect people or things from harm

uses the image of strong structural support rather than simple guarding
to safeguard
vsto bulwark
45 3.7

To protect someone or something from harm

stresses protection specifically achieved by strong supportive defence
to fortify
vsto bulwark
39 6.2

Make a place or group stronger by building defenses

is protection using a strong physical support or safeguard
to shield against
vsto bulwark
3 3.8

To protect a person or thing from harm

uses the image of strong structural support rather than simple guarding
to forfend
vsto bulwark
  • Archaic
2 9.9

To stop danger or harm from happening

emphasizes protection through a solid supportive barrier rather than only prevention
to casemate
vsto bulwark
  • Specialized
9.9

To put weapons into a strong shelter to protect them from enemy fire

is protection using a strong physical support or safeguard
to fort
vsto bulwark
  • Archaic
9.6

To hide in a strong place to stay safe

is protection using a strong physical support or safeguard
to forefend
vsto bulwark
  • Archaic
9.9

To stop something bad from happening

focuses on building a strong supporting defence rather than mere prevention
to defensed
vsto bulwark
  • US
9.9

To protect a town by building walls, towers, or a ditch around it

is more about a sturdy supporting safeguard than generic defensive fitting

Antonyms

401 3.8

Stop supporting an idea or plan

143 4.6

Tell someone's secret to other people

Compounds

A thing like a school or library that helps people stay informed

An organization or person that defends human rights

How Protective

to fortify
39 6.2
to bulwark
8.2
to defend
1.3
to shield
146 2.7
to shelter
76 2.5
to protect
1.0

Surface Forms

bulwark infinitive
bulwarked past
bulwarked past participle
bulwarking present participle
bulwarks third person singular

Etymology

Bulwark as a verb comes from the same idea: the old parts bol 'log' and -werk 'work' described a 'work of logs', so to bulwark something is to protect it as if you put a strong wall around it.