Synonyms of foundation

foundation

noun

fau̇n-ˈdā-shən 

1

as in institute

a public organization with a particular purpose or function

donated to a foundation that supported cancer research

Synonyms & Similar Words

• institute
• institution
• group
• establishment
• corporation
• charity
• enterprise
• body
• philanthropy
• collective
• think tank

2

as in basis

an immaterial thing upon which something else rests

she had a good enough foundation in math to pursue an economics degree

Synonyms & Similar Words

• basis
• cornerstone
• bedrock
• groundwork
• justification
• base
• ground
• root
• framework
• support
• underpinning
• footing
• core
• keystone
• premise
• theory
• warp
• essence
• focus
• bottom
• infrastructure
• backbone
• center
• warp and woof
• assumption
• bed
• shore
• heart
• thesis
• rationale
• bulwark
• substratum
• kernel
• anchorage
• prop
• mount
• presumption
• substructure
• stay
• brace
• warrant
• nucleus
• hub
• buttress
• supposition
• presupposition
• seat
• soul
• touchstone
• eye
• quintessence

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of foundation

Those themes of isolation and emotional suppression became the foundation for Brand New Day, shaping Tom Holland‘s performance and the film’s most intimate moments. — Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 3 Aug. 2026

Damp basement walls, musty odors, and water stains around basement windows are all signs that water may be entering your home’s foundation. — Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 3 Aug. 2026

The Seaver Institute is a private philanthropic foundation based in Los Angeles. — Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 3 Aug. 2026

This series gives us the opportunity to build on that foundation and tell a much larger story. — Joe Otterson, Variety, 3 Aug. 2026