as in cornerstone
an immaterial thing upon which something else rests
a sense of history is the keystone to the city's draw as a tourist destination
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Recent Examples of keystone
The New Yorker’s founding editor, Harold Ross, regarded The Talk of the Town as the keystone of each issue, and sent as much of it as possible through White’s typewriter.
—
Nathan Heller, New Yorker, 24 Aug. 2025
These keystone species are expected to play a crucial role in shaping the ecosystem.
—Real-Time News Team, Miami Herald, 22 Aug. 2025
At the time it was considered the keystone in Oceanside’s downtown renaissance, part of an effort to bring more people and commercial activity to the area.
—Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Aug. 2025
The viewing rectangle can be scaled down and moved around to fit the available space, without needing to reposition the unit, and focus/keystone are automatically tweaked for easy placement.
—New Atlas, 4 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for keystone
Nathan Heller, New Yorker, 24 Aug. 2025
These keystone species are expected to play a crucial role in shaping the ecosystem.
—Real-Time News Team, Miami Herald, 22 Aug. 2025
At the time it was considered the keystone in Oceanside’s downtown renaissance, part of an effort to bring more people and commercial activity to the area.
—Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Aug. 2025
The viewing rectangle can be scaled down and moved around to fit the available space, without needing to reposition the unit, and focus/keystone are automatically tweaked for easy placement.
—New Atlas, 4 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for keystone
Recent Examples of Synonyms for keystone
Noun
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Missiles remain a cornerstone of Iran’s deterrence strategy, and agreeing to such terms would be seen domestically as a major capitulation.—
Amir Daftari,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Sep. 2025
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According to the report, arbitrary detention is not an accident of state power but a systematic strategy — a cornerstone of Venezuela’s repressive apparatus.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
23 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The bank expects the PBOC to cut the seven-day reverse repo rate and loan prime rate by 10-basis points in the fourth quarter, along with a a 50-basis-point reduction in the reserve requirement ratio, which sets out how much cash banks must hold in reserve.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
22 Sep. 2025
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The resolution, which outlines steps toward a two-state solution and backs a Hamas-free government for Palestine, serves as a basis for a peace plan, the Élysée Palace said in a statement on Friday.—
Tara John,
CNN Money,
22 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The atmosphere on set was quite relaxed, because it was built on a foundation of mutual trust, which made the work go very smoothly.—
Jenny S. Li,
Variety,
20 Sep. 2025
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Build companies on people Capital may drive growth, but the true foundation of Campus Apartments has always been our people.—
David J. Adelman,
Fortune,
20 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The boxwork pattern refers to an area of low-lying ridges of bedrock that resemble a spiderweb shape from space.—
Kenna Hughes-Castleberry,
Space.com,
19 Sep. 2025
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In the East, ideology has remained the bedrock.—
Koray Köse,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Keystone.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/keystone. Accessed 24 Sep. 2025.
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