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

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 mainstay The Met and the Studio Museum are both part of the Cultural Institutions Group, a subset of New York cultural mainstays that receive funding from the city. — Nate Freeman, Vanity Fair, 30 Oct. 2026 The companies acknowledged include longtime Term Sheet mainstays like open source security juggernaut Chainguard, new names on the list like frontier AI security company Irregular, and honorable mentions like data loss prevention startup Jazz. — Allie Garfinkle, Fortune, 29 Oct. 2026 The Texas native was a mainstay on the big and small screen for years, appearing in Men in Black (1997) as well as Dodgeball (2004), Wonder Boys (2000), and Marie Antoinette (2006). — Kelly Martinez, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Oct. 2026 More than four decades later, the restaurant, owned by Jean-Marc Houmard, Huy Chi Le and Michael Callahan, remains a New York mainstay. — Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 28 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for mainstay

Recent Examples of Synonyms for mainstay

Noun

What analysts' buyout models say Despite such valuation anchors, analysts are split on how much a financial sponsor might pay for the company and what Global Payments and its long-term shareholders might accept.

— Justin Zacks, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2026
It was not known why the anchor failed, but the heavy snowstorm was not a direct factor, according to the statement, which commended the college students for their love of the outdoors and preparation for the climbing trip.

— ABC News, ABC News, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of anchor

Noun

The language that’s known as the backbone of the internet is now subject to what experts describe as one of the most notable vulnerabilities in recent memory.

— Kaitlyn Huamani, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
Stocchetto’s son Maurizio, the current owner, marked the 50th anniversary with a light refurbishment but one that kept the vintage backbone intact, from the brocades and mirrors to the marble floor and dark wood panels.

— Jaclyn DeGiorgio, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of backbone

Noun

Crowley made defending Medicaid funding and preserving affordable housing central pillars of his platform.

— Maayan Silver, NPR, 4 Nov. 2026
Beyond reducing cash returns to shareholders, this sharp contraction in buybacks threatens a key pillar supporting tech stock valuations over the long term.

— , CNBC, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of pillar

Noun

Make a version of one of Bon Appétit’s swankiest yet simplest party tricks—marinated salami and almonds—with Trader Joe’s standbys.

— Alex Beggs, Bon Appetit Magazine, 5 Nov. 2026
Shortening This piecrust-making standby can turn rancid over time and develop an altered taste that can ruin foods.

— Libby Monteith Minor, Southern Living, 1 Nov. 2026

Definition of standby

Browse Nearby Words

mains

mainstay

mainstays

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Mainstay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mainstay. Accessed 8 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of mainstay

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

cockamamie

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Old-Timey Vehicles

The Words of the Week - Nov. 6

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes