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
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Recent Examples of cornerstones
As is tradition, a few newcomers, comebacks and cornerstones on the New York Fashion Week schedule provided WWD an exclusive look at what inspired their collections.
—
Ari Stark, Footwear News, 9 Sep. 2025
Maya Moore and Sylvia Fowles were cornerstones of the Minnesota Lynx when the franchise won four WNBA titles in seven years.
—Doug Feinberg, Twin Cities, 6 Sep. 2025
The most important thing to understand is that any type of aging intervention cannot make an impact if the fundamental, full-proof cornerstones of healthy aging are not optimized, including getting enough sleep, eating a balanced, nutritious diet, and moving your body consistently.
—Alexa Mikhail, Flow Space, 5 Sep. 2025
Seek Mentorship and Sponsorship Mentorship and sponsorship remain cornerstones of executive readiness.
—Matthew C. Meade, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Social interactions during meals and exercise are basic cornerstones of the Mediterranean style of eating.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2025
But uncertainty has grown in recent days about Putin’s commitment to Trump’s peace-making efforts as Russian officials raised objections about cornerstones of the nascent proposals on the negotiating table.
—Aamer Madhani, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2025
Long seen as the cornerstones of the Blue Jays, the two position players have been excellent this year.
—Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Aug. 2025
These are two programs that lost significant offensive production last year (Kansas lost RB Devin Neal, WR Lawrence Arnold, WR Quentin Skinner, WR Luke Grimm and TE Jared Casey), and the cornerstones of the defense are also gone.
—Maddie Hartley
august 15, Kansas City Star, 15 Aug. 2025
Ari Stark, Footwear News, 9 Sep. 2025
Maya Moore and Sylvia Fowles were cornerstones of the Minnesota Lynx when the franchise won four WNBA titles in seven years.
—Doug Feinberg, Twin Cities, 6 Sep. 2025
The most important thing to understand is that any type of aging intervention cannot make an impact if the fundamental, full-proof cornerstones of healthy aging are not optimized, including getting enough sleep, eating a balanced, nutritious diet, and moving your body consistently.
—Alexa Mikhail, Flow Space, 5 Sep. 2025
Seek Mentorship and Sponsorship Mentorship and sponsorship remain cornerstones of executive readiness.
—Matthew C. Meade, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Social interactions during meals and exercise are basic cornerstones of the Mediterranean style of eating.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2025
But uncertainty has grown in recent days about Putin’s commitment to Trump’s peace-making efforts as Russian officials raised objections about cornerstones of the nascent proposals on the negotiating table.
—Aamer Madhani, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2025
Long seen as the cornerstones of the Blue Jays, the two position players have been excellent this year.
—Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Aug. 2025
These are two programs that lost significant offensive production last year (Kansas lost RB Devin Neal, WR Lawrence Arnold, WR Quentin Skinner, WR Luke Grimm and TE Jared Casey), and the cornerstones of the defense are also gone.
—Maddie Hartley
august 15, Kansas City Star, 15 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cornerstones
Noun
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While current makeup trends have skewed more dewy than matte, the best powder foundations still have a place in everyday makeup routines thanks to their fail-proof application—just pat on, and go!—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
15 Sep. 2025
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Right now, as City attempt to establish their defensive foundations, Khusanov’s high-stakes defending is, oddly, their most reliable solution to a problem position.—
Jordan Campbell,
New York Times,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Burnout prevention and psychological safety will become the bedrocks of resilience.—
Maman Ibrahim,
Forbes.com,
11 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cornerstones.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cornerstones. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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