as in bases
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 footholds
The latest report, from the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime, also traced how Russia and Rwanda have established economic and security footholds in CAR alongside UAE trading networks.
—
Yinka Adegoke,
semafor.com,
12 June 2026
Far from being regarded as academic exercises or theoretical explorations, venturing programs are proving themselves fundamental to the long-term vitality of organizations globally, gaining footholds in Asia, Europe, Australia, and across the Americas.
—
Serguei Netessine,
Fortune,
28 May 2026
Meanwhile, some of America’s largest AI companies have also established footholds on campus.
—
Jared Perlo,
NBC news,
28 May 2026
The local voting also provides an opening for smaller parties, independents and outsider candidates to gain political footholds that would be far harder to achieve in national parliamentary races.
—
Inaya Folarin Iman,
CBS News,
8 May 2026
The second generation, which began in the early 2000s, saw K-pop gain footholds in regional markets like China, Japan and Southeast Asia.
—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
2 May 2026
The fact is that recent or older series can gain new footholds with modern viewers who haven’t seen them.
—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
30 Apr. 2026
Additional footholds in Aspen and Hawaii follow a familiar pattern of buying adjacent homes within the same enclave.
—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
20 Apr. 2026
While the commitments to long-term space are notable, the decisions are a mix of maintaining footholds and new growth.
—
Krysta Escobar,
CNBC,
5 Apr. 2026
Yinka Adegoke,
semafor.com,
12 June 2026
Far from being regarded as academic exercises or theoretical explorations, venturing programs are proving themselves fundamental to the long-term vitality of organizations globally, gaining footholds in Asia, Europe, Australia, and across the Americas.
—
Serguei Netessine,
Fortune,
28 May 2026
Meanwhile, some of America’s largest AI companies have also established footholds on campus.
—
Jared Perlo,
NBC news,
28 May 2026
The local voting also provides an opening for smaller parties, independents and outsider candidates to gain political footholds that would be far harder to achieve in national parliamentary races.
—
Inaya Folarin Iman,
CBS News,
8 May 2026
The second generation, which began in the early 2000s, saw K-pop gain footholds in regional markets like China, Japan and Southeast Asia.
—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
2 May 2026
The fact is that recent or older series can gain new footholds with modern viewers who haven’t seen them.
—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
30 Apr. 2026
Additional footholds in Aspen and Hawaii follow a familiar pattern of buying adjacent homes within the same enclave.
—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
20 Apr. 2026
While the commitments to long-term space are notable, the decisions are a mix of maintaining footholds and new growth.
—
Krysta Escobar,
CNBC,
5 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for footholds
Noun
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Around 30 Maple Park Middle School students spent the last few weeks of the summer term weaving English language arts and STEM skills together to research the international soccer teams with base camps in Kansas City and create animatronics based on their findings.
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For many kids, summer means camps, vacations, and sports.
Noun
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Some, like France's Maginot Line, became border fortresses stretching for miles, while German coastal defenses sat on the cliffs of Normandy, requiring the Allies to take out with sea bombardments and direct infantry assaults.
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The trailers show that Eternia was once a vibrant alien-like world with multi-colored forests, massive mountains and fortresses with towering faces carved into their entrances.
Noun
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Ukraine has sought to derail the Kremlin’s plans by launching counterattacks in the Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia regions, where Russian forces have sought to carve out bridgeheads with an aim to advance toward the regional capitals, which are key industrial hubs.
Noun
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Warning posters frequently line train stations and public buildings in Japan.
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That energy is converted and transmitted wirelessly to receiving stations on Earth, feeding directly into the grid as steady electricity.
Noun
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What were once more modest spaces offering massages and other select services have grown into comprehensive wellness centers, offering a vast array of options for guests seeking pampering and self-care.
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There will also be cooling centers available in the city, Cook County, and the surrounding counties.
Cite this Entry
“Footholds.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/footholds. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.
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