Thesaurus results for MAINSTAY

mainstay

noun

ˈmān-ˌstā

Definition of mainstay

as in anchor

something or someone to which one looks for support Mom has been our mainstay in this crisis

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 mainstay Anderson, who is a mainstay at various fashion shows and loves clothes, was an attendee at the fifth installment of the runway show-slash-pop-up event, which was held in Milan during Milan Fashion Week. — Kara Nesvig, Allure, 22 Sep. 2026 As Brooks alluded to, the takeaways have been a mainstay since the start of training camp. — Miami Herald, 19 Sep. 2026 The Vegas mainstay first appeared on Star Search in 1991 and later established himself as a prop comedian. — Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 19 Sep. 2026 Paul is a mainstay name on the Social Security Administration (SSA) Top 1000 Most Popular Names Chart. — Sarah Scott, Parents, 17 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for mainstay

Recent Examples of Synonyms for mainstay

Noun

Queer Eye’s Antoni Porowski, CBS news anchor Gayle King, East of Eden director Garth Davis as well as musician and Club Kid actor Jonah Almost were on site to toast Pugh and her crew.

— Chris Murphy, Vanity Fair, 30 Sep. 2026
The island also houses over 200 blue holes (the highest concentration of sinkholes and cave systems in the world) that demand exploration, both in its forests and offshore anchor points.

— Joey Skladany, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of anchor

Noun

Merchants can’t wait for that backbone to modernize, so the real question is how much a provider actually does with the data those old systems already produce.

— Wayne Hamilton, Forbes.com, 25 Sep. 2026
The Sparks also desperately needed Brink to become the defensive backbone of the team.

— Marisa Ingemi, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of backbone

Noun

The officer stops at the pillar between the car’s windows, such that the driver must crane their neck backward to make eye contact and could only open fire awkwardly.

— Sophie Landres, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
For generations, American streets and parks showcased the tall, stately pillars of rows and rows of elm trees.

— Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of pillar

Noun

When your cooler cycles off, S2000 uses only 10W to keep AC ports ready, falling to just 2W in standby with outlets off.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 30 Sep. 2026
CareFlite responded with two EMS units and a supervisor, with a helicopter placed on airborne standby, fire officials said.

— Doug Myers, CBS News, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of standby

Browse Nearby Words

mains

mainstay

mainstays

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Style

“Mainstay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mainstay. Accessed 4 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of mainstay

noun

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