structure 1 of 2

1
as in building
something built as a dwelling, shelter, or place for human activity the only structure on the island is an old Spanish fort—or what's left of it

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2
as in construction
something put together by arranging or connecting an array of parts the Egyptian pyramids are among the most remarkable structures ever built

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3
as in framework
the arrangement of parts that gives something its basic form the basic structure of all those tract houses is the same: basically, a box

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structure

2 of 2

verb

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 structure
Noun
In hiring Counsell away from his hometown team and firing David Ross, the Cubs were not necessarily getting an analytics whiz to update their R&D models, structure the lineup and push bullpen buttons. Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025 Because most of us, for better and for worse, reflect the systems which structure the logics of our lives. David Remnick, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2025
Verb
The assessment identified at least 17,734 structures that have been destroyed, about 43% of the total number of structures damaged. Diaa Ostaz, ABC News, 16 Oct. 2025 In Pecos, a West Texas oil-field town dotted with man camps, equipment yards, and the occasional roofless adobe structure melting into the scrub, packs of stray dogs congregated by the gas stations and the elementary schools. Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for structure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for structure
Noun
  • Economists warn the incoming administration faces immediate challenges, including securing fuel supplies and building coalitions in a fragmented legislature.
    Reuters 3 min ago, CNN Money, 20 Oct. 2025
  • While the middle school and Montessori sides don’t have a lot of crossover, Diemer and Herrera-Gundale have seen interactions between students and staff across the two sides of the building, such as staff sharing lunch or students walking their younger siblings to class.
    Imani Cruzen, Twin Cities, 19 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Wall construction has started, beginning at the exit 36 bridge.
    Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 18 Oct. 2025
  • The co-axial construction means the hands literally pass beneath the tourbillon cage, creating another cool effect on the wrist.
    Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 18 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The framework was established in September, when the future Pac-12 schools struggled and the current American schools thrived.
    Jon Wilner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Oct. 2025
  • The bad news is that there are already murmurs in Brussels about piecemeal, incremental measures – harmonizing certain national laws, creating yet another framework for EU member states to fuss over and interpret.
    Jan Hammer, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Begging or drunkenness could mean a week to a couple of months on a chain gang, grading and paving roads, fixing bridges, hauling debris, and otherwise helping to construct the fast-growing city.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Some may be constructed from lighter aluminum for more even heating, while darker pans may conduct heat more slowly.
    Molly Allen, Southern Living, 21 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • This is also a great time to marvel at other examples of the city’s architecture, like the Catedral de Mallorca, a cathedral towering over the city skyline and the Llotja de Palma, a 15th-century Gothic guildhall that frequently hosts art exhibitions.
    Emilio Parra Doiztua, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
  • The La Jolla Historical Society’s Jewel Awards are continuing to evolve with new ways to recognize the different local efforts to retain historic architecture and sites.
    Ashley Mackin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Shon and his collaborators, including Ruozhu Feng and Wei Wang, built their prototype with carbon electrodes.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Nearly every duke and earl and baron in England was competing to build great rare book collections, and lots and lots of fake manuscripts emerged.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 16 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Zelenskyy has made clear his chief aim is to secure better defenses for Ukraine amid Russia’s constant aerial bombardments of civilian targets like cities, energy infrastructure and hospitals, and his big-ticket item is the American Tomahawk missile.
    Caitlin McFall, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2025
  • Signature Aviation, acquired several years ago by Cascade Investment (Bill Gates’ investment arm), the Blackstone Group and Global Infrastructure Partners, has invested many millions into infrastructure, with 80 ongoing projects across its global network.
    Daniel Cote, Robb Report, 17 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Swets, who has expertise with special-purpose acquisition companies (SPACs), formed Greenland Exploration with his investment and merchant banking firm, FG Nexus, and agreed to merge with March GL and find a suitable SPAC to take the company public.
    Jordan Blum, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2025
  • The boy band — comprised of Tomlinson, Liam Payne, Zayn Malik, Harry Styles and Niall Horan — was formed on The X-Factor UK in 2010.
    Latoya Gayle, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Structure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/structure. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.

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