Definition of footholdnext
as in base
a place from which an advance (as for military operations) is made don't let the opposing team push us back down the field and gain a foothold

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 foothold The platform has significant footholds in fashion, AI, politics, literature, celebrity gossip, and most everything in between. — Dan Adler, Vanity Fair, 2 Nov. 2026 As professional sports franchises command record valuations and institutional investors seek a greater foothold in the industry, the business of buying, selling and financing teams has never been more competitive—or more complex. — Sportico Staff, Sportico.com, 30 Oct. 2026 Arizona’s historic megadrought was set in motion well before any part of the tech industry gained a foothold in the Grand Canyon State. — Gaby Del Valle, The Verge, 29 Oct. 2026 By Cox’s thinking, however, increasing minority representation in Hollywood means giving a share of work to Californians looking for a foothold in the industry who also reflect the diversity of the state. — Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 27 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for foothold
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foothold
Noun
  • Measure at the caller’s end, test your hardest callers on purpose and score every call against your own rules on a schedule, because model updates, knowledge base edits and new integrations will change behavior without warning.
    — Satish Barot, Forbes.com, 6 Nov. 2026
  • It’s also set to have towering gold doors complete with panels of sculptures at its base.
    — Will Weissert, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • Höcker, an adjutant to the camp’s commandant, did not photograph any victims, which becomes a matter of contention among the museum staff, who are wary of inspiring sympathy with the perpetrators of a genocide.
    — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 10 Nov. 2026
  • McCord was acquired via trade with the Green Bay Packers ahead of the season, as Miami moved off of Quinn Ewers, the team’s backup quarterback to Willis in training camp, due to his performance in the preseason.
    — David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 10 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • Tesla touted the car as a rolling fortress that could tow 14,000 pounds and withstand hits from sledgehammers and even firearms.
    — Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Business-wise, these pioneers were buoyed by the sluggish response to the internet by legacy newspapers and magazines, whose fortress mentality only accelerated their disruption.
    — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Foothold.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foothold. Accessed 11 Nov. 2026.

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