foundations

noun

plural of foundation
1
as in institutions
a public organization with a particular purpose or function donated to a foundation that supported cancer research

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in cornerstones
an immaterial thing upon which something else rests she had a good enough foundation in math to pursue an economics degree

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 foundations The exhibit and documentary were funded with about $110,000 in donations from community members, businesses and organizations and grants, including money from the Seigle and Palmer foundations, musuem Director Rebecca Miller said. — Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2026 For leaders looking to strengthen these foundations, Patrick Lencioni's The Five Dysfunctions of a Team remains one of the most practical books on building trust and creating high-performing teams. — Don Weber, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026 The extraordinary haul of approximately 40 gold bars and 4,000 gold sovereign coins was found hidden in the foundations of an old brewery, Patrick Feys, chief of the Dendermonde Police District, told CNN. — Chris Lau, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026 Additional funds are raised through philanthropic foundations, individuals and corporate partners such as Pacsun. — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 11 Aug. 2026 The organization is funded through Howard County government, state and federal grants, private foundations, and contributions from individuals, community groups, the faith community and local businesses. — Adam Thompson, CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026 Scholarships on the site appear to be funded largely by an array of private groups, including foundations, associations, fraternities, unions and other organizations. — Todd Wallack, Washington Post, 10 Aug. 2026 As extreme weather becomes more common and disruptive, the effects can impair relationships, interrupt routines and communication, and damage gathering places and the foundations of community traditions. — Fiona Doherty, The Conversation, 5 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foundations
  1. institutions
  2. cornerstones
  3. institutes
  4. bases
  5. groups
  6. bedrocks
  7. grounds
Noun
  • The College-in-3 Exchange was born, and dozens of higher education institutions joined the network to look for ways to help students get degrees faster.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Liberia’s flag resembles that of the US; its capital was named Monrovia after America’s fifth President James Monroe, and its early institutions were heavily influenced by Washington.
    — Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of institutions
Noun
  • In the months that followed, the Mets bid farewell to franchise cornerstones Pete Alonso, Brandon Nimmo, Jeff McNeil and — despite trying to retain him — closer Edwin Diaz.
    — Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Both candidates see modernizing the office’s systems and expanding access to the public as cornerstones of their campaigns.
    — Cristóbal Reyes, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of cornerstones
Noun
  • But given the public interest in solving this challenge, there is a case for taxing the training of frontier AI models and devoting the proceeds to additional research at government AI oversight institutes or universities.
    — Foreign Affairs, Foreign Affairs, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Founded in 2021, Helical Fusion aims to commercialize fusion research conducted at the National Institute for Fusion Science (NIFS), one of Japan’s leading public research institutes.
    — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 7 July 2026
Definition of institutes
Noun
  • Athletics The Athletics are led by DH Brent Rooker, who hit 39 homers and stole 11 bases last year, and right fielder Lawrence Butler, an emerging star who added 22 homers and 18 steals.
    — Jim Bowden, The Athletic, 24 Mar. 2025
  • Washington Nationals The Nationals should take the next step forward as their young nucleus, led by shortstop CJ Abrams, who hit 20 homers and stole 31 bases last year, continues to develop and improve.
    — Jim Bowden, The Athletic, 24 Mar. 2025
Definition of bases
Noun
  • According to the health department, nearly twice as many sample groups of mosquitoes tested positive for West Nile virus this year compared to the same time last year.
    — Katie Houlis, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • The interactions between the two groups were lovely, as KiiiKiii bowed to their seniors and expressed their admiration to the XG members.
    — Laura Sirikul, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of groups
Noun
  • The costs of health insurance are pushing small businesses — beloved by politicians and the bedrocks of entire communities — to a financial cliff.
    — Bob Herman, STAT, 7 July 2026
  • Hillary Rodham Clinton also reflect on the bedrocks of our democracy, including the Electoral College and the peaceful transfer of power.
    — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 24 June 2026
Definition of bedrocks
Noun
  • Works by major international artists (Tschabalala Self, Francesco Clemente, Chantal Joffe) sit alongside Greek artists (Vasilis Papageorgiou, Kostas Paniaras, Sofia Mitsola) and commissions created on site, scattered through the hotel and grounds.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Aug. 2026
  • The students and their attorneys appeared in federal court on Wednesday for a hearing in their lawsuit challenging FIU's actions on First Amendment grounds.
    — Ivan Taylor, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of grounds

Browse Nearby Words

foundationless
foundations
founded
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Cite this Entry

“Foundations.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foundations. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

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