groundwork

noun

ˈgrau̇nd-ˌwərk How to pronounce groundwork (audio)
Definition of groundworknext
as in foundation
an immaterial thing upon which something else rests they had collectively laid the groundwork for a new kind of art

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 groundwork To her, the rhetoric sounded like groundwork for deeper cuts to come. — Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 30 June 2026 Laying the groundwork for a free trade agreement that would remake his nation’s economy, Mexican president Carlos Salinas de Gortari loaned crates of art to the United States in the autumn of 1990. — Jonathon Keats, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026 Representatives from the United States, Israel, and Lebanon signed a trilateral framework following lengthy negotiations aimed at ending the conflict and laying out the groundwork for a future peace agreement. — Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 26 June 2026 Photograph by Sébastien Leban for TIME France The groundwork is already in place with a structure—Interconnected Ventures—chaired from Paris by his mother, Fayza Lamari, and run day to day by Ziad Hammoud, formerly of beIN Sports, with about 20 employees. — Time, Time, 26 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for groundwork
Recent Examples of Synonyms for groundwork
  1. foundation
  2. basis
  3. cornerstone
  4. bedrock
Noun
  • The foundation helped raise more than $200,000 to pay off school lunch debt for students, gave out turkeys to families during the holidays and provided resources to those impacted by gun violence.
    — Tyler Quattrin, Twin Cities, 7 July 2026
  • The actor says the group of actors, led by Elle Woods herself, Lexi Minetree, developed a solid foundation with each other and in themselves filming the next season before the first had aired.
    — Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 6 July 2026
Definition of foundation
Noun
  • Certification framework finalized For aircraft that introduce new technologies, the G-1 Issue Paper establishes the certification basis before engineers begin proving compliance.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 10 July 2026
  • Until now, vertical landings of orbital-class rockets had been performed only by SpaceX, which does them on a regular basis.
    — Mike Wall, Space.com, 10 July 2026
Definition of basis
Noun
  • The cornerstone of Boards classics is a blurring retrofuturism achieved via swirling and clashing sample, synth, and guitar textures.
    — Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 8 July 2026
  • China National Radio reported late Tuesday that nearly 70% of Zhipu’s cornerstone investors are committed to stay on, despite previous worries that the lock-up period expiration could trigger a sell-off.
    — Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
Definition of cornerstone
Noun
  • America’s 13 original colonies were teeming with adventurous foreigners who formed the bedrock of our dynamic economy and democracy.
    — Robert Hormats, Time, 4 July 2026
  • Goodness knows when younger people will be able to buy a home, once considered the bedrock of achieving the American dream.
    — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 3 July 2026
Definition of bedrock

Browse Nearby Words

ground swells
groundwork
groundworks
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Cite this Entry

“Groundwork.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/groundwork. Accessed 12 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on groundwork

Nglish: Translation of groundwork for Spanish Speakers

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