From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishbulwarkbul‧wark /ˈbʊlwək $ -wərk/ noun [countable] 1 PROTECTsomething that protects you from an unpleasant situationbulwark against a bulwark against dictatorship2 → bulwarks3 DEFENDa strong structure like a wall, built for defence
Examples from the Corpus
bulwark• This provides a necessary bulwark against the danger of an all-powerful state invading the individual's liberty.• Community is essential; it is the one bulwark against inevitable grief and loss.• Their cannon were very evident, as they closed, crews lining the bulwarks.• Over the bulwark of his body, Sylvie waved to Alexei.• Luch and Ruari had to supply ten pounds of wax, to polish the bulwarks.• His gnarled hands throttled the bulwarks.• Until then the security forces remain the ultimate bulwark against the breakdown of society.bulwark against• Politically, Japan became the main Asian bulwark against communism.Origin bulwark (1400-1500) Middle Dutch bolwerc, from Middle Low German, from bole “flat piece of wood” + werc “work” 