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 far as cuisine, the 13-course tasting menu (priced at $295 per person) includes a variety of dishes that show off cornerstones of Korean cooking, such as charcoal grilling and fermentation, and also take inspiration from areas across East Asia.
—
Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 15 Oct. 2025
If this commitment to doing things the right way takes the lead, data centers can continue to be cornerstones of our day-to-day life — and nobody will have to worry about what society would look like without our digital emergency services, educational and job functions, communications and beyond.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2025
In the Kings’ perfect world, two cornerstones will give way to two more.
—The Athletic Nhl, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
Keegan Murray and Keon Ellis are both 25-year-old, two-way players who could be long-term cornerstones of the Sacramento Kings.
—Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 29 Sep. 2025
Those three words are the cornerstones of what Hetherman has preached daily since taking over as defensive coordinator in January.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 24 Sep. 2025
Such high-end enablers will remain cornerstones of any meaningful security guarantees.
—Andriy Zagorodnyuk, Foreign Affairs, 23 Sep. 2025
Social interactions during meals and exercise are basic cornerstones of the Mediterranean style of eating.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 15 Sep. 2025
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
Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 15 Oct. 2025
If this commitment to doing things the right way takes the lead, data centers can continue to be cornerstones of our day-to-day life — and nobody will have to worry about what society would look like without our digital emergency services, educational and job functions, communications and beyond.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2025
In the Kings’ perfect world, two cornerstones will give way to two more.
—The Athletic Nhl, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
Keegan Murray and Keon Ellis are both 25-year-old, two-way players who could be long-term cornerstones of the Sacramento Kings.
—Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 29 Sep. 2025
Those three words are the cornerstones of what Hetherman has preached daily since taking over as defensive coordinator in January.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 24 Sep. 2025
Such high-end enablers will remain cornerstones of any meaningful security guarantees.
—Andriy Zagorodnyuk, Foreign Affairs, 23 Sep. 2025
Social interactions during meals and exercise are basic cornerstones of the Mediterranean style of eating.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 15 Sep. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cornerstones
Noun
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The same Philadelphia that witnessed the birth of American independence also nurtured competing visions of nationhood—ones that challenged the very foundations of who could claim full citizenship in the republic.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Oct. 2025
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In those early days, even with needs piling up, wealthy donors and private foundations grappled with how to respond.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
27 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The bedrocks of healthy behavior are your biggest assets for staying disease-free.—
Matt Fuchs,
Time,
24 Sep. 2025
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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 28 Oct. 2025.
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