as in trapdoor
Related Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of portcullis
The entrance to the car park even passes under a portcullis and guests’ bags go through an X-ray machine hidden in the rock-face.
—
Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
The prior owner went all out on building a Medieval-style castle, with a moat, a drawbridge and a portcullis.
—Katherine Clarke, WSJ, 3 Mar. 2022
Medieval amenities include a moat, two watchtowers and two gates, a drawbridge, an underground cave (complete with a Jacuzzi!), trap doors, and a genuine portcullis (a metal-and-wood gate typically seen in medieval fortresses).
—Mary Elizabeth Andriotis, House Beautiful, 20 Jan. 2022
Then Iraq’s new rulers lowered a paper portcullis, demanding fees and the completion of myriad forms.
—The Economist, 10 Apr. 2021
Pass beneath an imposing portcullis into Edinburgh Castle, home to the National War Museum and the 12th-century St. Margaret’s Chapel—believed to be the oldest building in Edinburgh.
—National Geographic, 12 June 2019
Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
The prior owner went all out on building a Medieval-style castle, with a moat, a drawbridge and a portcullis.
—Katherine Clarke, WSJ, 3 Mar. 2022
Medieval amenities include a moat, two watchtowers and two gates, a drawbridge, an underground cave (complete with a Jacuzzi!), trap doors, and a genuine portcullis (a metal-and-wood gate typically seen in medieval fortresses).
—Mary Elizabeth Andriotis, House Beautiful, 20 Jan. 2022
Then Iraq’s new rulers lowered a paper portcullis, demanding fees and the completion of myriad forms.
—The Economist, 10 Apr. 2021
Pass beneath an imposing portcullis into Edinburgh Castle, home to the National War Museum and the 12th-century St. Margaret’s Chapel—believed to be the oldest building in Edinburgh.
—National Geographic, 12 June 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for portcullis
Noun
-
But the culture does prime young men to align themselves emotionally with sports and then offer them the trapdoor of an opportunity to return on that investment.—
Hannah Keyser,
CNN Money,
1 Feb. 2026
-
When its minuscule trigger hairs are touched, the trapdoor flips open, and the tiny victim is sucked in along with water in milliseconds before the door closes again.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
20 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Don’t miss the chance to grab this end table from the Trisha Yearwood Home Collection, featuring lattice detailing and a large drawer for storage.—
Shea Simmons,
Southern Living,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Prior research inferred the amount of core hydrogen by using X-ray diffraction to look at the lattice structure in iron crystals, which expands more when hydrogen is present.—
Mindy Weisberger,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
North Carolina legislators will soon propose new a law addressing the revolving door between North Carolina’s mental health and criminal justice systems.—
Julia Coin,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Feb. 2026
-
There's a revolving door of cool traveling exhibits, so check out the website to see what's happening now.—
Elena Donovan Mauer,
Parents,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Indian Motorcycle Nostalgia is a tricky wicket for manufacturers.—
William Roberson,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Rahman, a 30-year-old fast bowler, is the all-time leading wicket-taker for his nation in T20 cricket and has played regularly for Bangladesh across all formats of the game.—
Colin Millar,
New York Times,
16 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Portcullis.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portcullis. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
