anchor 1 of 2

1
2
as in backbone
something or someone to which one looks for support my best friend has been my anchor throughout this crisis

Synonyms & Similar Words

anchor

2 of 2

verb

1
2
as in to land
to stop at or near a place along the shore we'll anchor at Praia, Cape Verde

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
He's been the station's weekend evening news anchor since November 2020. Chris Foran, jsonline.com, 8 July 2025 Most of the new space can be attributed to the large number of big-box shopping center anchor stores increasing their footprints in Austin, the report said, including Lowe’s, H-E-B, Home Depot, Costco and others. Julianna Duennes Russ, Austin American Statesman, 8 July 2025
Verb
The department store had anchored the downtown mall since 1963, but closure rumors circulated throughout its final year. Sacbee.com, 10 July 2025 The 6-foot-4, 320-pounder needs to be better at anchoring, as he too often was driven into the backfield by stout nose tackles last season. Dan Duggan, New York Times, 9 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for anchor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anchor
Noun
  • The theatrical market, Roth explains, will be the backbone of The Horror Section’s business.
    Zac Ntim, Deadline, 9 July 2025
  • Before smartphones and summer schedules packed tighter than a church potluck, lawn sprinklers, slip n’ slides, biking to the neighborhood pool, and lemonade stands were the backbone of summer.
    Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 5 July 2025
Verb
  • An hour before kick-off for Portugal’s UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 group stage match against Spain and eyes begin to gravitate towards Wankdorf Stadium’s west stand and a large piece of cardboard fastened to the bottom of the upper stand.
    Megan Feringa, New York Times, 4 July 2025
  • Feet are attached to each of the four posts, providing additional stability, and the kit also comes with anchoring hardware, which securely fastens the gazebo to cement.
    Maggie Horton, People.com, 8 May 2025
Verb
  • Wood hit 16 homers, including a 486-foot shot and one that landed on the roof of the Chop House behind the right-field wall.
    Ronald Blum, Chicago Tribune, 15 July 2025
  • Wood hit 16 homers, including one that landed on the roof of the Chop House behind the right-field wall.
    Ronald Blum, Baltimore Sun, 15 July 2025
Noun
  • Hendrix’s towering and well-maintained monument includes a stone dome with pillars, a giant steel guitar and a portrait of him etched in granite.
    Suzette Hackney, USA Today, 19 July 2025
  • According to the brand, fewer than 10% of women are backed by sponsors, and the You Sponsored initiative was created to award 10 women custom deals to amplify their dreams across three pillars: opportunity (the recipients will receive $20,000 in funding), connections and visibility.
    Catherine Santino, People.com, 19 July 2025
Verb
  • This situation was the most beneficial for him, as there is a path to him securing a starting job again.
    Kevin McCormick, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 July 2025
  • Investigators do not believe either child had been secured properly while in the vehicle, according to the warrant affidavit.
    Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 12 July 2025
Verb
  • Some players get docked for having a super-skilled linemate or winger (especially in the Norris and Hart conversations).
    The Athletic NHL Staff, New York Times, 12 July 2025
  • The 135-foot Sea Lady II charter engulfed in flames while docked in the port of Saint-Tropez on July 10.
    Colson Thayer, People.com, 11 July 2025
Noun
  • Collins showed reporters a 1992 rescission message from President George H.W. Bush as an example of how such proposals should be detailed—comparing it unfavorably to the Trump Administration’s request.
    Nik Popli, Time, 15 July 2025
  • If your story changes every quarter, reporters will stop listening.
    Danielle Sabrina, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
Noun
  • Today, with the S&P 500 Index funds a mainstay, such a shift could last a long time.
    John S. Tobey, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
  • This helped transform the instrument, typically associated with Sunday church services, into a mainstay of contemporary pop instrumentation.
    Paul Grein, Billboard, 14 July 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Anchor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anchor. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on anchor

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!