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
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Recent Examples of foundations
Some clerics control enormous charitable foundations worth billions of dollars through donations from followers and budgets from the state, while others operate modest local mosques with minimal resources.
—
Narges Bajoghli, Time, 13 Jan. 2026
Still, her median grant size, around $5 million, according to Yield Giving data analyzed by Fortune, dwarfs that of the roughly $123,000 median grant from typical foundations, Phil Buchanan, president of the Center for Effective Philanthropy, told The New York Times.
—Sydney Lake, Fortune, 13 Jan. 2026
Even 30 years ago, the Court’s view rested on shaky empirical foundations.
—Paul Rosenzweig, The Atlantic, 12 Jan. 2026
The gas can seep into homes through cracks in foundations or basement floors; gaps around pipes, cables, or utility lines; construction joints where walls and floors meet; and crawlspaces or dirt floors, the county said.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 11 Jan. 2026
Unlike heavier foundations that can settle into fine lines or emphasize texture, this lightweight formula delivers sheer coverage that evens skin tone while doubling as daily sun protection, too.
—Olivia Cefalu, InStyle, 11 Jan. 2026
Those who charge that mail ballots are not secure undermine confidence in elections, without proof, and discourage participation, erode trust, and weaken the very foundations of self-government.
—Coalition, Hartford Courant, 11 Jan. 2026
When styled just right, pieces that come in shades of rich and creamy ivories, beiges, or whites with gray or yellow foundations can combine to create an incredibly sophisticated monochromatic look.
—Gretta Monahan, Boston Herald, 11 Jan. 2026
This is a year of building and construction to create solid foundations in your life, both physically and internally.
—Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 6 Jan. 2026
Narges Bajoghli, Time, 13 Jan. 2026
Still, her median grant size, around $5 million, according to Yield Giving data analyzed by Fortune, dwarfs that of the roughly $123,000 median grant from typical foundations, Phil Buchanan, president of the Center for Effective Philanthropy, told The New York Times.
—Sydney Lake, Fortune, 13 Jan. 2026
Even 30 years ago, the Court’s view rested on shaky empirical foundations.
—Paul Rosenzweig, The Atlantic, 12 Jan. 2026
The gas can seep into homes through cracks in foundations or basement floors; gaps around pipes, cables, or utility lines; construction joints where walls and floors meet; and crawlspaces or dirt floors, the county said.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 11 Jan. 2026
Unlike heavier foundations that can settle into fine lines or emphasize texture, this lightweight formula delivers sheer coverage that evens skin tone while doubling as daily sun protection, too.
—Olivia Cefalu, InStyle, 11 Jan. 2026
Those who charge that mail ballots are not secure undermine confidence in elections, without proof, and discourage participation, erode trust, and weaken the very foundations of self-government.
—Coalition, Hartford Courant, 11 Jan. 2026
When styled just right, pieces that come in shades of rich and creamy ivories, beiges, or whites with gray or yellow foundations can combine to create an incredibly sophisticated monochromatic look.
—Gretta Monahan, Boston Herald, 11 Jan. 2026
This is a year of building and construction to create solid foundations in your life, both physically and internally.
—Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 6 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foundations
Noun
-
Western counterparts often acknowledge them privately, even as public backlash from some European institutions and media figures ensued against Rubio’s candor.—
Daniel Ross Goodman,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Jan. 2026
-
The oil downturn and currency devaluation of the early 1980s shook Venezuelan society deeply, hollowing out the middle class and undermining trust in political institutions.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
At the time, disability law experts worried that if successful, the lawsuit could topple one of the legal cornerstones of disability rights in the United States.—
O. Rose Broderick,
STAT,
2 Jan. 2026
-
The cornerstones of the collection are curves and arched silhouettes, seen primarily in bookcases, cabinets, and tables.—
Claire Hoppe Norgaard,
Better Homes & Gardens,
31 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
The lab collaborates with national research institutes focused on mining, electronics, aerospace, and radiation research.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Jan. 2026
-
The committee evaluates nominations from qualified proposers—such as heads of state, national legislators, professors in relevant disciplines, past laureates, and directors of foreign policy or peace institutes.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
5 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Israeli attacks weakened Iran’s regional armed proxy groups such as Hamas and Hezbollahwhile US strikes dealt significant damage to the country’s nuclear program, which the government spent billions to develop.—
Mitchell McCluskey,
CNN Money,
12 Jan. 2026
-
In other locations, particularly in southeastern Iran, rights groups said security forces fired directly at protesters in Zahedan after prayers, wounding several people.—
Emma Bussey,
FOXNews.com,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Better yet, those bedrocks are as plentiful as ever.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Nov. 2025
-
The bedrocks of healthy behavior are your biggest assets for staying disease-free.—
Matt Fuchs,
Time,
24 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Generations of children grew up on these grounds.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Believe it or not, poor hygiene can be grounds for removal from a flight.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
13 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Foundations.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foundations. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.
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