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
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Recent Examples of foothold
The magnitude of the action stretches from Venezuela to China, Russia and Iran, all of which seek footholds in Venezuela, threatening stability for American and democratic interests.
—
John Brummett, Washington Post, 7 Jan. 2026
Harper is tipped off to Tender’s shady dealings by reporter Jim Dycker (Charlie Heaton), widening a foothold in the world of journalism previously established by Henry’s tabloid baron uncle Alexander (Andrew Havill).
—Alison Herman, Variety, 6 Jan. 2026
As the representative for the armed wing of a human empire, you're tasked with subduing these Lovecraftian abominations and securing a foothold for humanity on alien worlds.
—Alan Bradley, Space.com, 5 Jan. 2026
Biased algorithms are beginning to erase the middle-income rungs of the economic ladder—the very administrative and operational roles that underestimated groups have historically used to gain a foothold in the middle class.
—Katica Roy, Fortune, 31 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for foothold
John Brummett, Washington Post, 7 Jan. 2026
Harper is tipped off to Tender’s shady dealings by reporter Jim Dycker (Charlie Heaton), widening a foothold in the world of journalism previously established by Henry’s tabloid baron uncle Alexander (Andrew Havill).
—Alison Herman, Variety, 6 Jan. 2026
As the representative for the armed wing of a human empire, you're tasked with subduing these Lovecraftian abominations and securing a foothold for humanity on alien worlds.
—Alan Bradley, Space.com, 5 Jan. 2026
Biased algorithms are beginning to erase the middle-income rungs of the economic ladder—the very administrative and operational roles that underestimated groups have historically used to gain a foothold in the middle class.
—Katica Roy, Fortune, 31 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for foothold
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foothold
Noun
-
These dusters feature a slim flat base covered with a washable and reusable microfiber cloth that can slide under the bottom of appliances, picking up dust and other debris that has collected.—
Jolie Kerr,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 Jan. 2026
-
The children helped choose the location in the front yard and worked alongside their parents to stomp out the snow, creating a perfect 12-foot circle for the igloo’s base.—
Jordan Greene,
PEOPLE,
14 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Sanders, though, was officially a full participant in practice for the first time since training camp.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
16 Jan. 2026
-
The trainees nonetheless followed much of the usual syllabus, being ferried daily to one or other of the big Palestinian refugee camps under PFLP control for lectures and drills in unarmed combat and very basic weapons handling.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Tour the fortresses, stroll through the town’s central market, and visit Spianada Square, the largest square in Greece.—
Stacey Leasca,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Jan. 2026
-
While the prison grounds have no high fences, the prison units exist as separate fortresses, successors to the long wooden barracks that were once here.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Foothold.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foothold. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
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