anchor 1 of 2

noun

ˈaŋ-kər How to pronounce anchor (audio)
Definition of anchornext
1
as in newscaster
one who reads and introduces news reports on a news program the news anchor coordinated the reports of the correspondents from around the state

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2
as in backbone
something or someone to which one looks for support my best friend has been my anchor throughout this crisis

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anchor

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to fasten
to put securely in place or in a desired position used ropes and sandbags to anchor the hot-air balloon to the ground

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to land
to stop at or near a place along the shore we'll anchor at Praia, Cape Verde

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 anchor
Noun
America anchor Robin Roberts and her wife, Amber Laign, started dating in 2005 before getting married in September 2023. — Louis Peitzman, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Aug. 2026 Alexander also will serve as the MS NOW’s chief national reporter and breaking news anchor. — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 3 Aug. 2026
Verb
The campaign was anchored in an existing advertising relationship rather than structured primarily as a conventional content license. — Maureen Kerr, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026 At times, Prongos can be late to sit down and anchor against power in pass pro, which leaves him folded up and on his heels. — Dane Brugler, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for anchor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anchor
  1. newscaster
  2. backbone
  3. fasten
  4. land
  5. broadcaster
  6. pillar
  7. secure
  8. dock
Noun
  • There’s something powerful—and, yes, stripped down—about seeing these politicians and newscasters without being able to hear their language.
    — Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 24 July 2026
  • He was trailed by Marlene Galán-Woods, a former newscaster, in the Democratic primary for Arizona’s 1st Congressional District.
    — Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 21 July 2026
Definition of newscaster
Noun
  • That pair — alongside Alejandro Kirk, who is under contract through 2030 — are the backbone of this team.
    — Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Millions of households that once formed the backbone of linear TV reach are no longer reachable through traditional cable buys.
    — Kris Qiu, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of backbone
Verb
  • The screaming engine bounced under a rusty white hood that appeared to be fastened in place by a bungee cord.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 31 July 2026
  • The memorial has a bronze marker fastened to the marble wall.
    — Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
Definition of fasten
Verb
  • Surrounded by hundreds of butterflies fluttering between tropical plants inside the Powell Gardens Conservatory, Heidi Boehm watched as visitors stopped, looked upward and waited for one to land nearby.
    — Sophia Buonpane, Kansas City Star, 1 Aug. 2026
  • After moving to New York after college in 2009, Ian started looking for a creative way to avoid paying rent, and landed on the idea of living aboard a sailboat.
    — Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of land
Noun
  • Police set up a strike force to investigate Jones after The Sydney Morning Herald newspaper reported in 2023 that Jones used his position of power, first as a schoolteacher and later as a popular broadcaster, to prey on a number of young men.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026
  • After crashing, the plane caught fire, making any rescue impossible, according to ​Peruvian broadcaster RPP.
    — Joe Kottke, NBC news, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of broadcaster
Noun
  • The cues are on the pillar next to the transformer pool table.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Dior’s men’s fragrance business revolves around two modern pillars—Sauvage and Homme—and the prolific Kurkdjian thinks about the two pillars as neighboring territories.
    — Adam Hurly, Robb Report, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of pillar
Verb
  • The Braves have secured consecutive home wins and maintained their strong position atop the National League East as the trade deadline approaches Monday.
    — Gabriel Burns, AJC.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • PennDOT secured an $840,000 federal grant to develop a strategic plan for these crucial crossings.
    — Noël Fletcher, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of secure
Verb
  • Balestrand is full of old stories and not nearly as many tourists as Bergen or Flåm, since no cruise ships dock there.
    — Winston Ross, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
  • However, some may tender while others dock depending on port conditions, the ship’s size and other factors.
    — Nathan Diller, USA Today, 31 July 2026
Definition of dock

Browse Nearby Words

ancestry
anchor
anchorage
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Cite this Entry

“Anchor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anchor. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on anchor

Nglish: Translation of anchor for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about anchor

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