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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 keystone
Just trying to get to the keystones in this instance.
—
Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
The action ties together seven independent local affiliates in the state, including one in Orlando, and is expected to be the keystone for additional units.
—Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Jan. 2026
To many in the US, the keystone of the American dream is a house.
—Michaëla De Lacaze Mohrmann, Artforum, 1 Jan. 2026
That does seem like a keystone way to navigate your startup.
—Neil Senturia, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for keystone
Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
The action ties together seven independent local affiliates in the state, including one in Orlando, and is expected to be the keystone for additional units.
—Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Jan. 2026
To many in the US, the keystone of the American dream is a house.
—Michaëla De Lacaze Mohrmann, Artforum, 1 Jan. 2026
That does seem like a keystone way to navigate your startup.
—Neil Senturia, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for keystone
Recent Examples of Synonyms for keystone
Noun
-
The Everlane Double-Knit Half-Zip Pullover will undoubtedly serve as a cornerstone of your spring outfit rotation.—
Kyra Surgent,
InStyle,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Born from the Revolution, the Fourth Amendment is a cornerstone of American governance.—
Amanda Cats-Baril,
Twin Cities,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
With a continuous power supply in orbit, this technology could extend the lifespan and range of exploration missions, like future lunar bases and global space internet networks.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Mar. 2026
-
France meanwhile has deployed Rafale fighter jets over the skies of the United Arab Emirates to protect its military bases there.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Now, a new study suggests researchers globally may have built these plans on a shaky foundation.—
Marcos Magaña,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
-
But the 62-54 loss to Virginia Tech at Gas South Arena in Duluth was indicative of the fight that’s first-year coach Karen Blair has used as a foundation to rebuild the program.—
Stan Awtrey,
AJC.com,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Testing the toughest Researchers at Penn State University determined the effects of Martian regolith—the loose mineral layer covering the planet’s bedrock—on complex multicellular organisms.—
Munis Raza,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Mar. 2026
-
That security was also the bedrock of many Gulf nations' relationship with the United States.—
Richard Hall,
Time,
1 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Keystone.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/keystone. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
