as in anchors
something or someone to which one looks for support
Mom has been our mainstay in this crisis
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Recent Examples of mainstays
When a reporter rattled off a few positions that are typically mainstays on special teams, Morgan agreed.
—
Joseph Person, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026
Online organic grocer Thrive Market even has a healthy swaps feature in its app that lets users scan the barcodes of mainstays to find more purportedly virtuous brands.
—Sarah Todd, STAT, 22 Apr. 2026
Brown accessories are mainstays for the supermodel—soft loafers, a hobo bag, belt, and sunglasses, all in a chocolate tone, offer those finishing touches that never lose their urban appeal.
—Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 21 Apr. 2026
Artists including Ackerman, Philip Aaberg, Alex De Grassi, Barbara Higbie, Michael Manring, Darol Anger and Liz Story appear in the film, alongside archival interviews with mainstays such as the late George Winston and Michael Hedges.
—Jonathan Cohen, SPIN, 20 Apr. 2026
Artisan oils up for awards yet again Three companies specializing in high-quality oils could earn more Good Food Awards this year after becoming mainstays on the foundation’s list of nominees and winners in previous years.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 20 Apr. 2026
The five remaining mainstays from the Celtics’ 2023-24 title-winning roster — Tatum, Brown, White, Pritchard and Hauser — form the spine of this year’s squad.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 19 Apr. 2026
Regional mainstays such as The Third Line, Lawrie Shabibi, Carbon 12, Ayyam Gallery, and Tabari Artspace will be joined by international galleries including Perrotin, Galleria Continua, Waddington Custot, and Galerie Frank Elbaz.
—Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 15 Apr. 2026
Verbeek also parted ways with Ducks mainstays Cam Fowler and John Gibson in recent years, clearing payroll room and playing time for the Ducks’ young talent.
—Greg Beacham, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026
Joseph Person, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026
Online organic grocer Thrive Market even has a healthy swaps feature in its app that lets users scan the barcodes of mainstays to find more purportedly virtuous brands.
—Sarah Todd, STAT, 22 Apr. 2026
Brown accessories are mainstays for the supermodel—soft loafers, a hobo bag, belt, and sunglasses, all in a chocolate tone, offer those finishing touches that never lose their urban appeal.
—Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 21 Apr. 2026
Artists including Ackerman, Philip Aaberg, Alex De Grassi, Barbara Higbie, Michael Manring, Darol Anger and Liz Story appear in the film, alongside archival interviews with mainstays such as the late George Winston and Michael Hedges.
—Jonathan Cohen, SPIN, 20 Apr. 2026
Artisan oils up for awards yet again Three companies specializing in high-quality oils could earn more Good Food Awards this year after becoming mainstays on the foundation’s list of nominees and winners in previous years.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 20 Apr. 2026
The five remaining mainstays from the Celtics’ 2023-24 title-winning roster — Tatum, Brown, White, Pritchard and Hauser — form the spine of this year’s squad.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 19 Apr. 2026
Regional mainstays such as The Third Line, Lawrie Shabibi, Carbon 12, Ayyam Gallery, and Tabari Artspace will be joined by international galleries including Perrotin, Galleria Continua, Waddington Custot, and Galerie Frank Elbaz.
—Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 15 Apr. 2026
Verbeek also parted ways with Ducks mainstays Cam Fowler and John Gibson in recent years, clearing payroll room and playing time for the Ducks’ young talent.
—Greg Beacham, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mainstays
Noun
-
Entrepreneurs can look for moments where values meet action and use those as narrative anchors.—
Melissa Jun Rowley,
Rolling Stone,
29 Apr. 2026
-
In the foyer, a Sol LeWitt wall drawing anchors the entry — less of a decorative accent than statement of intent.—
David Caraccio,
Sacbee.com,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
As songwriters, the Ottavianos usually only needed a metaphor, a single beautiful image, or a fun double entendre to serve as narrative backbones.—
Billie Bugara,
Pitchfork,
26 Apr. 2026
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There's also a perception that squishy invertebrates — creatures without backbones — weren't formidable enough to join the ranks of top predators.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
At last month’s Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim — one of the world’s largest food trade shows — old standbys finding fresh roles and unexpected places to shine was the buzz.—
David Dickstein,
Oc Register,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Spring’s touring theater productions are a mix of old standbys and new shows.—
Scott Hocker,
TheWeek,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Downriver from the Shoshone Falls are the Pillar Falls, a low waterfall split by rock pillars.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
26 Apr. 2026
-
As their mutual competitiveness grows shockingly ugly, Niall learns to turn Ruben’s Samsonian strength and fury against him, knocking down the pillars of Ruben’s own life.—
Inkoo Kang,
New Yorker,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mainstays.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mainstays. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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