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
Dan could see no footholds ex‑ cept a crystal shaped like a domino pasted onto the rock.
—
Literary Hub, 20 Jan. 2026
Apart from its soft-power flexes, China has become a leading arms supplier to the region while establishing footholds for its military, such as the Espacio Lejano Space Station, an advanced radar system China operates in the Patagonian desert under a 50-year lease from the government of Argentina.
—Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 14 Jan. 2026
Corporate landlords and investment firms own less than 5% of the nation’s 87 million homes, according to BatchData, though that fraction is growing and obscures bigger footholds in local markets.
—Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 13 Jan. 2026
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
Create footholds for bats to roost.
—Kirsten Fiscus, Nashville Tennessean, 24 Oct. 2025
Despite a bloody war fought between the two neighbors from 1980 to 1988, Baghdad remains one of Tehran's few remaining footholds in the region.
—Emma Graham, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2025
In that vein, the brand matrix has been expanded beyond its footholds in skin care and makeup with a greater focus on fragrance, including brands like Vyrao and House of Bō.
—James Manso, Footwear News, 8 Sep. 2025
Sweeping cuts in federal jobs and the dismantling of corporate DEI programs have disproportionately destabilized these footholds, as MSNBC reported.
—Britney Porter, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Literary Hub, 20 Jan. 2026
Apart from its soft-power flexes, China has become a leading arms supplier to the region while establishing footholds for its military, such as the Espacio Lejano Space Station, an advanced radar system China operates in the Patagonian desert under a 50-year lease from the government of Argentina.
—Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 14 Jan. 2026
Corporate landlords and investment firms own less than 5% of the nation’s 87 million homes, according to BatchData, though that fraction is growing and obscures bigger footholds in local markets.
—Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 13 Jan. 2026
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
Create footholds for bats to roost.
—Kirsten Fiscus, Nashville Tennessean, 24 Oct. 2025
Despite a bloody war fought between the two neighbors from 1980 to 1988, Baghdad remains one of Tehran's few remaining footholds in the region.
—Emma Graham, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2025
In that vein, the brand matrix has been expanded beyond its footholds in skin care and makeup with a greater focus on fragrance, including brands like Vyrao and House of Bō.
—James Manso, Footwear News, 8 Sep. 2025
Sweeping cuts in federal jobs and the dismantling of corporate DEI programs have disproportionately destabilized these footholds, as MSNBC reported.
—Britney Porter, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for footholds
Noun
-
Considerations for base camps include proximity/easy travel to and from game sites, distance from the airport, privacy, security, quality of training fields and fitness equipment, accommodations for fans and media, and recreational opportunities.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
5 Feb. 2026
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Holly Blastic said the start date is too early for families, who might have to forgo August vacations and family time, and ending May 22 isn’t realistic for families who rely on child care because many park district programs and summer camps don’t begin until June.—
Michelle Mullins,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Meanwhile, history buffs will love exploring the island’s capital via colorful Spanish-colonial architecture and imposing, ancient fortresses like La Fortaleza and El Morro.—
Brittany Chang,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Jan. 2026
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Collective investments in resilience are cheaper than everyone building their own fortresses.—
Haley Ott,
CBS News,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
If none of these private stations pans out, the only LEO outpost left when the ISS crashes back to Earth will likely be Tiangong, the three-module station that China finished building in late 2022.—
Mike Wall,
Space.com,
16 Feb. 2026
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Boring boasted that its Vegas Loop can transport more than 4,400 passengers per hour with a 70-vehicle operating fleet and three stations.—
Skyler Swisher,
The Orlando Sentinel,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Many of the types found at garden centers boast big blooms in pinks, whites, and purples.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
14 Feb. 2026
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But if the technology takes off and moves beyond experience centers, will users remain within safe boundaries?—
Kendall Hunter,
Outside,
14 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Footholds.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/footholds. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
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