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 From that foothold, Pérez built Grupo Emco Holding, a multinational conglomerate spanning mining, airports, energy and logistics. — Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2026 Sports betting companies are hoping to retain their footholds in more than 30 states amid new scrutiny of the industry. — Jake Angelo, semafor.com, 23 Oct. 2026 If the Venice runner-up is able to find a foothold in the Best Picture race, that’ll be a boon for Jeon, who gives the standout performance as a working-class woman who gets a glimpse at how the other half lives. — Nate Jones, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2026 For its part, Israel is likely seeking a strategic foothold in the Horn of Africa, experts say. — Mahbub Abdillahi, Christian Science Monitor, 22 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for foothold
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foothold
Noun
  • Powder hounds got a new reason to cheer when Gravity Haus, a 60-room ski-in/ski-out boutique hotel, opened in 2019 at the base of Breckenridge Ski Resort’s Peak 9.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Oct. 2026
  • Matsui, meanwhile, has tried to carefully navigate keeping her moderate Democrat base while appealing to Republicans who might view Vang as too liberal for the district.
    — Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 30 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The church investigated the first incident in 2005 but did not report it to law enforcement when the victims couldn’t positively identify the perpetrator, and the man returned for the 2006 camp.
    — John Hanna, Chicago Tribune, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Overall, both Barrera and Shaw fit squarely within their ideological camps.
    — Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • According to the brand, these mushrooms were actually found growing in the cellar of the nearby Wilhelmsburg fortress, so the team decided to use them to add some umami flavor to the gin.
    — Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 21 Oct. 2026
  • The Roman city of Cologne and a legionary fortress in Bonn were also nearby — raising the possibility of a military connection.
    — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Foothold.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foothold. Accessed 4 Nov. 2026.

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