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 Spanning automotive, steel, and agriculture, as well as government procurement, market access, and the future architecture of North American trade rules, the confrontation is now touching the deepest foundations of their economic relationship. — CNBC, 9 Sep. 2026 During three seasons as the Rams’ offensive coordinator, Mike LaFleur said McVay established strong foundations but also used his tireless energy to encourage assistants to tear down tried-and-true concepts and build them back, sparking innovation. — Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026 The institutional foundations of today’s successful monetary regime were therefore established and cemented during Fujimori’s presidency, which ended in November 2000. — Steve H. Hanke, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2026 These platforms became common foundations for internal systems, shifting effort from repetitive data handling toward business rules, integration and process design. — Boris Kontsevoi, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2026 Langkilde said the radar is detecting the lowest portions of the walls and foundations, which were made with large boulders that were often left in place when medieval buildings were torn down. — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 7 Sep. 2026 Yet, Macron suggested the bigger battle after his departure could be over the foundations of France’s cultural policy itself. — Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 7 Sep. 2026 His father didn’t offer hints as to where the foundations of the house wound up under the lake. — Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 6 Sep. 2026 All that can be seen of the building now is the vestiges of its foundations. — Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foundations
  1. institutions
  2. cornerstones
  3. institutes
  4. bases
  5. groups
  6. bedrocks
  7. grounds
Noun
  • Foreign central banks and other institutions looking for a safe place to park their capital have diminished roles in the Treasury market and have increasingly turned to alternative havens like gold.
    — Jason Ma, Fortune, 6 Sep. 2026
  • The weaponization and deconstruction of our institutions and republic are no laughing matter.
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of institutions
Noun
  • One of the cornerstones of the Boise State football program is finding underrated talent from across the Gem State and turning those players into starters and even all-conference performers.
    — Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 29 Aug. 2026
  • 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
Definition of cornerstones
Noun
  • Countries typically built these large-scale computers at their national institutes to make scientific breakthroughs and attain economic leadership, while also deploying them for national security measures.
    — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 9 Sep. 2026
  • That’s thanks to educational institutions like the University of Toronto, and public-private research institutes like the Vector Institute, which Hinton co-founded to help commercialize AI breakthroughs.
    — Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 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
  • Human rights groups and advocates have denounced mass and arbitrary arrests, torture and disappearances in the Central American nation's prison system.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Sep. 2026
  • The groups also argue such a lack of transparency could entrench the most powerful labs and models with open-source companies in the dark, and that Congress should be looped in as well.
    — Ashley Gold, semafor.com, 9 Sep. 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
  • Related Stories Some concrete declarations regarding trade were unveiled at the held on the stunning grounds of the Fondation Maeght art foundation and museum complex.
    — Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 11 Sep. 2026
  • For 45 years, Fiesta Hispana has given generations of Kansas City residents a place to gather around Latino culture, filling its festival grounds with music, dancing, food and traditions representing communities from across Latin America.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of grounds

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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 13 Sep. 2026.

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