as in foundations
an immaterial thing upon which something else rests
a concern for basic human rights was the cornerstone of the president's foreign policy
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of cornerstones
Once visited by emperors seeking clarity and samurai tending to battle wounds, these onsen remain cornerstones of Japanese culture.
—
Kelsey Eisen, Robb Report, 19 Mar. 2026
Anthony Mantha scored two third-period goals to help Pittsburgh — playing without franchise cornerstones Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin — snap a three-game losing streak.
—CBS News, 9 Mar. 2026
What’s more, Seattle parted ways with a quarterback and receiver who for years had been cornerstones of their offense.
—Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026
With the addition of productive veterans and, more critically, the growth of cornerstones like Leo Carlsson and Cutter Gauthier, McTavish’s malaise has been easy to overlook.
—Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 2 Mar. 2026
Lifestyle remains essential — adequate physical activity, nutrition, sleep and stress management are cornerstones of cardiovascular health.
—Jia Shen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Feb. 2026
Resilient communities will be valuable cornerstones of support as the world becomes more and more divided.
—Terry Terrones, HollywoodReporter, 25 Feb. 2026
While a number of big players have now moved their major launches to the spring — and splashy destination locales — Place Vendôme cornerstones and newer signatures made good use of the moment to showcase storied pasts, creative chops and new ways of working.
—Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 20 Feb. 2026
The idea of a parade was borrowed from American traditions with the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade and military cavalcades as cultural cornerstones.
—Ko Lyn Cheang, San Francisco Chronicle, 13 Feb. 2026
Kelsey Eisen, Robb Report, 19 Mar. 2026
Anthony Mantha scored two third-period goals to help Pittsburgh — playing without franchise cornerstones Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin — snap a three-game losing streak.
—CBS News, 9 Mar. 2026
What’s more, Seattle parted ways with a quarterback and receiver who for years had been cornerstones of their offense.
—Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026
With the addition of productive veterans and, more critically, the growth of cornerstones like Leo Carlsson and Cutter Gauthier, McTavish’s malaise has been easy to overlook.
—Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 2 Mar. 2026
Lifestyle remains essential — adequate physical activity, nutrition, sleep and stress management are cornerstones of cardiovascular health.
—Jia Shen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Feb. 2026
Resilient communities will be valuable cornerstones of support as the world becomes more and more divided.
—Terry Terrones, HollywoodReporter, 25 Feb. 2026
While a number of big players have now moved their major launches to the spring — and splashy destination locales — Place Vendôme cornerstones and newer signatures made good use of the moment to showcase storied pasts, creative chops and new ways of working.
—Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 20 Feb. 2026
The idea of a parade was borrowed from American traditions with the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade and military cavalcades as cultural cornerstones.
—Ko Lyn Cheang, San Francisco Chronicle, 13 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cornerstones
Noun
-
Many of its interests are run via religious foundations, known as bonyads.—
The Week UK,
TheWeek,
22 Mar. 2026
-
Muddy floodwaters from severe rains inundated streets, pushed homes off their foundations, swallowed vehicles and prompted evacuation orders for thousands of residents in towns north of Honolulu on Friday as officials warned of the possible failure of a 120-year-old dam.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
21 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Better yet, those bedrocks are as plentiful as ever.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Nov. 2025
-
The bedrocks of healthy behavior are your biggest assets for staying disease-free.—
Matt Fuchs,
Time,
24 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cornerstones.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cornerstones. Accessed 29 Mar. 2026.
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