1
as in securing
to put securely in place or in a desired position
used ropes and sandbags to anchor the hot-air balloon to the ground
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in landing
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 anchoring
Carr, for example, is best known for anchoring 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown.
—
Claire McNear, Rolling Stone, 18 Mar. 2026
When Pat Cassidy, who had been anchoring in Hultman's old slot alongside Middlebrooks, left the station for a stint working with Mancow Muller at WLS-AM in 2008, Hultman returned to his old morning slot alongside Middlebrooks at WBBM Newsradio.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 16 Mar. 2026
Later that year, Lueloff was removed from anchoring WMAQ’s late afternoon newscast.
—Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 16 Mar. 2026
Whether performing a challenging solo, anchoring an ensemble, or stepping into a character with nuance and heart, Juno delivers work that is consistently polished, compelling, and deeply human.
—Heide Janssen, Oc Register, 15 Mar. 2026
The structure, which dates to 2007, once held the promise of anchoring two of the city’s business corridors with retail.
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 15 Mar. 2026
Kitchen trends come and go, but some cabinet colors have a way of anchoring your kitchen firmly in the past.
—Sophie Flaxman, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Mar. 2026
Babyproof your home thoroughly (including anchoring furniture to the wall), and never leave a child under 5 in the tub alone.
—Barrie Gillies, Parents, 9 Mar. 2026
The 26-year-old emerged as one of the NFL’s top defensive tackles in 2025, anchoring the middle of the Eagles’ defensive line.
—Zach Berman, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2026
Claire McNear, Rolling Stone, 18 Mar. 2026
When Pat Cassidy, who had been anchoring in Hultman's old slot alongside Middlebrooks, left the station for a stint working with Mancow Muller at WLS-AM in 2008, Hultman returned to his old morning slot alongside Middlebrooks at WBBM Newsradio.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 16 Mar. 2026
Later that year, Lueloff was removed from anchoring WMAQ’s late afternoon newscast.
—Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 16 Mar. 2026
Whether performing a challenging solo, anchoring an ensemble, or stepping into a character with nuance and heart, Juno delivers work that is consistently polished, compelling, and deeply human.
—Heide Janssen, Oc Register, 15 Mar. 2026
The structure, which dates to 2007, once held the promise of anchoring two of the city’s business corridors with retail.
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 15 Mar. 2026
Kitchen trends come and go, but some cabinet colors have a way of anchoring your kitchen firmly in the past.
—Sophie Flaxman, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Mar. 2026
Babyproof your home thoroughly (including anchoring furniture to the wall), and never leave a child under 5 in the tub alone.
—Barrie Gillies, Parents, 9 Mar. 2026
The 26-year-old emerged as one of the NFL’s top defensive tackles in 2025, anchoring the middle of the Eagles’ defensive line.
—Zach Berman, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anchoring
Verb
-
While creating Hathaway’s sleek half-up, half-down do, Pita formed a short braid (only about an inch long) with a small section of hair near each temple before securing it with an elastic and pulling both to the back of her head.—
Mykenna Maniece,
Vogue,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Everett’s duties included supervising the equestrian facilities, snack bar operations, facility maintenance and various administrative requirements, such as assisting the association in securing water rights and the HOA Board of Directors election.—
Regina Elling,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Lilja, the hotel’s signature restaurant, hopes to raise the country’s culinary profile even further with hopes of landing a Michelin star.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 Mar. 2026
-
From nearly trading for Raiders star Maxx Crosby to landing Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson in free agency, Baltimore has been under the spotlight in recent weeks.—
Baltimore Sun staff,
Baltimore Sun,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
On her personal Instagram and TikTok accounts, Hirshleifer-Penn often shares her own designer outfits and must-have items, a Celine calfskin midi skirt with a gourmette chain fastening one day, a military-green Saint Laurent jacket with a stand collar the next.—
Kati Chitrakorn,
CNN Money,
4 Feb. 2026
-
The Legate gently declines Lucy by fastening her to a cross.—
Jack King,
Vulture,
31 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
The complex process, requiring two Starships equipped with docking adapters to meet up in orbit to transfer hundreds of tons of super-cooled propellant, is necessary for Starship to reach distant destinations like Mars.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Artemis 3 shows the mission's new plan, with Orion still flying with ICPS, docking with both Starship and Blue Moon above Earth.—
Josh Dinner,
Space.com,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Wolf packs on the hunt encircled their prey—typically elk—clamping at the jugular when their target grew weary from the chase.—
Nidhi Sharma,
Popular Science,
12 Mar. 2026
-
The maximum clamping force reaches 21 kg (46 lb), which is quite a bit for a tool of this size.—
Maryna Holovnova,
New Atlas,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
With spring-like heat arriving early, anyone heading into the mountains this weekend should use extreme caution and be prepared to change plans as conditions evolve.—
Callie Zanandrie,
CBS News,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Those in need of medical care should call their doctor, urgent care or emergency department before arriving to help limit additional exposures.—
Katie Langford,
Denver Post,
19 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Anchoring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anchoring. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
