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 The upcoming season will still feature Murphy mainstays like Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, Angela Bassett, Kathy Bates, Emma Roberts, Billie Lourd, and Jessica Lange, as well as director John Waters. — Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 10 July 2026 Agriculture and farming are a mainstay of North Dakota’s economy. — Jeffrey Anvari-Clark, The Conversation, 10 July 2026 Arriving in the Americas around the 17th century through the transatlantic slave trade, okra became a mainstay in the region. — Trelani Michelle, Southern Living, 10 July 2026 The star of Dine Downtown is Mezcal restaurant, a downtown mainstay that has participated in all 18 years of the promotion. — Linda Zavoral, Mercury News, 9 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for mainstay

Recent Examples of Synonyms for mainstay

Noun

Friends and family gathered on Monday to celebrate the life of former WJZ reporter and sports anchor Stan Saunders, who died on Friday, June 26.

— Adam Thompson, CBS News, 14 July 2026
Others include veteran New York City news anchor Bill Ritter and longtime actor Danny Glover.

— Yi-Jin Yu, ABC News, 14 July 2026

Definition of anchor

Noun

Kelly looks into the camera and declares the Fairway attorney and former Obama Commerce Department official has the strength, judgment and backbone to continue her legacy.

— Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 10 July 2026
In those neighborhoods, buses are the backbone of mobility, and improving them is among the most effective ways to expand opportunity.

— Mike Flynn, New York Daily News, 9 July 2026

Definition of backbone

Noun

About 42% of Colombia’s territory is covered by Amazon rainforest, and the Petro administration made rainforest protection and a transition away from fossil fuels central pillars of its environmental agenda.

— ABC News, ABC News, 10 July 2026
Early last year, El-Sayed travelled to Washington for introductory meetings with various pillars of the Democratic establishment.

— Jason Zengerle, New Yorker, 10 July 2026

Definition of pillar

Noun

Pretoria responded to the threat of violence in June 30 protests with millions of dollars shuffled inside the police budget, tactical units deployed, and soldiers on standby.

— Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 1 July 2026
Rocket Lab was supposed to have a satellite on standby to go up and inspect True Anomaly’s spacecraft, ready to launch on short notice once military officials gave the order.

— Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 26 June 2026

Definition of standby

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mains

mainstay

mainstays

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“Mainstay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mainstay. Accessed 18 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of mainstay

noun

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