a bulwark of support

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a bulwark of support" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a strong and protective form of support, often in contexts related to emotional, social, or institutional backing. Example: "During the crisis, her friends were a bulwark of support, helping her navigate through the difficult times."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

In this affluent northern city, usually a bulwark of support for the king, some demonstrators spoke openly of demands for democracy.

The New York Times

The trade unions are a bulwark of support for the opposition Movement for Democratic Change and produced its current leader, Mr. Tsvangirai.

The New York Times

The Cuban-American community, which has long been a bulwark of support for sanctions, is divided over whether to impose harsh measures.

The New York Times

Mubarak never fully trusted the Army — for one thing, Islamist officers had assassinated his predecessor — and he built up the Ministry of Interior as a bulwark of support.

The New Yorker

Mrs. Whitney, whose family has been a bulwark of support for the museum, said she had planned to donate $1 million to the Whitney but had decided to give it instead to the Whitney Gallery of Western Art in Cody, Wyo., which was established by her late husband on land donated by his mother.

The New York Times

All through that time, including his hospitalization at Loma Linda University Hospital in southern California, his girlfriend, Katie, who learned about the scourge of mental illness early on in life because of her mother's depression, has been a bulwark of support.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

A new television advertisement in Ohio, "Night Shift," is directed at lower-income voters, who have formed a bulwark of her support so far.

The New York Times

The protests last year mainly involved members of the new middle classes whom the party regards as a bulwark of its support, and whose nationalist expectations have to be met.

The Economist

We found repeated evidence in the interview transcripts, with African American students as well as with students from other racial/ethnic groups, that BSP is viewed by these students as a crucially important bulwark of support as they go through the demanding, and often discouraging, early premedical curriculum, especially the curriculum in chemistry.

Advances in Health Sciences Education

The reform did not transform the peasantry into the bulwark of support that the autocracy needed; and during 1917 peasants everywhere participated in the revolutions, seizing properties belonging to the Stolypin farmers.

Encyclopedia Britannica

— The presidential candidates rarely trek this far north, but on election night, experts in the Wisconsin vote said, they would pay close attention to the vast region west and north of Green Bay, viewing it as a telltale of whether the state's political upheaval since 2010 has undermined President Obama's bulwark of support.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a bulwark of support" to describe something or someone that provides strong, reliable, and often defensive assistance during challenging times.

Common error

Avoid using "a bulwark of support" to describe casual or minor assistance. The phrase implies a robust defense against significant challenges.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a bulwark of support" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject complement or an appositive. It describes something or someone that serves as a strong and reliable defense or source of assistance. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through multiple examples from varied sources.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a bulwark of support" is a noun phrase used to describe something or someone offering strong and dependable assistance, particularly in challenging situations. Ludwig AI confirms this usage based on multiple examples from news, encyclopedia and media sources. While grammatically sound, it's more suitable for formal writing, conveying a sense of strength and reliability. Alternatives such as "a cornerstone of assistance" or "a bastion of aid" can provide similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis. Remember to use this phrase when you want to highlight a robust defense against significant difficulties.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a cornerstone of assistance

Replaces "bulwark" with "cornerstone" implying foundational help.

a bastion of aid

Substitutes "bulwark" with "bastion" emphasizing a defensive form of help and "support" with "aid".

a mainstay of help

Uses "mainstay" instead of "bulwark" highlighting a reliable and constant source of assistance.

a fortress of succor

Replaces "bulwark" with "fortress" suggesting a secure form of aid, and "support" with "succor".

a stronghold of backing

Employs "stronghold" instead of "bulwark", implying a secure and powerful source of help and replaces "support" with "backing".

a rampart of advocacy

Replaces "bulwark" with "rampart", conveying a defensive barrier, and "support" with "advocacy".

a tower of strength

Uses a more metaphorical expression, emphasizing the strength and reliability of the support.

a source of resilience

Focuses on the outcome of the support, highlighting its role in promoting resilience.

a vital defense

Emphasizes the defensive aspect of support, using simpler and more direct language.

a reliable backing

Simplifies the phrase to emphasize the dependability of the support.

FAQs

How can I use "a bulwark of support" in a sentence?

You can use "a bulwark of support" to describe something or someone that provides strong, reliable, and often defensive assistance during challenging times. For example, "During his illness, his family was a bulwark of support".

What can I say instead of "a bulwark of support"?

You can use alternatives like "a cornerstone of assistance", "a bastion of aid", or "a mainstay of help" depending on the context.

What does "a bulwark of support" mean?

The phrase "a bulwark of support" refers to something or someone that acts as a strong defense or reliable source of assistance during difficult times.

Is it appropriate to use "a bulwark of support" in informal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a bulwark of support" is more suited for formal or professional writing due to its sophisticated vocabulary. In informal contexts, simpler phrases like "a strong source of help" may be more appropriate.