Before long we had flung enough sand-bags into place to make a low breastwork behind which the few men who were on this side of the position could lie down and fire.
Source: wiktionary
Breastwork
Synonyms for "breastwork" (98 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (20)
Strong matches (29)
boombreakwaterbrick wallbufferbulkheadbulwarkcasematecheval-de-frisecircumvallationcofferdamcontravallationcounterscarpcurtaindamdefensedemibastiondikeditchdrawbridgeearthwork
Show 7 more words
Noun(2 words)
defensive parapetearthwork
Related words (49)
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: parapet, abatis, advanced work, arch dam, backstop.
- Sentence evidence is available for breastwork, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from wordnet, opengloss, moby.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "breastwork".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "breastwork"
Keep "breastwork" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "breastwork" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "breastwork", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "breastwork" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
3 entriesMore specific
3 entriesgabion breastworkstone breastworktimber breastwork
Collocations
6 entriesdefensive breastworkearthwork defensegabion breastworkmilitary breastworktemporary breastworktrench breastwork
Inflections
1 entriesSample sentences
4 total sentences available.
A cannonproof breastwork, built during the previous war, extended along the beach from the hills to the rocks.
Source: wiktionary
The Independencia is a two-turreted, breastwork ship of 9,000 tons displacement. […] The central breastwork is 130 feet in length at the top of the belt, and extends to the upper deck, 11 feet above the water-line. This breastwork incloses the boiler and engine hatches, the scuttles to magazines and shell-rooms, the principal openings for ventilation, and the two turrets.
Source: wiktionary
A swarthy boy opened a book and propped it nimbly under the breastwork of his satchel. He recited jerks of verse with odd glances at the text: […]
Source: wiktionary
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "breastwork"?
Closest matches include parapet, abatis, advanced work, arch dam, backstop.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "breastwork"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.