pedestal

noun

Definition of pedestalnext
1
as in foot
a bottom part upon which something rests or is supported The museum displayed the jewels on a pedestal inside a glass case. The entrance to the ruined temple was flanked by columns, some of which had fallen from their pedestals.

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2
as in throne
the position of someone who is treated or regarded as extraordinarily good, successful, etc. There's a tendency to put the person you love on a pedestal. The scandal knocked the beloved actor off his pedestal.

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Dissimilar Words

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 pedestal From a cement pedestal, the eight-foot limb of a schefflera bonsai reaches across the table. — Genevieve Walker, Architectural Digest, 18 Sep. 2026 Tree stumps can also be carved into garden art or used as a pedestal for a large container or statue. — Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Sep. 2026 Every stream, every show, every like, every reshare helps put Skippa on a pedestal to be acknowledged at something like this. — Kyle Denis, Billboard, 11 Sep. 2026 Outfitters, waterfowl brands, YouTube heroes, and yes, iconic publications like Outdoor Life, have helped to put greenheads on a pedestal. — Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 9 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pedestal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pedestal
  1. foot
  2. throne
  3. podium
  4. seat
  5. platform
  6. top
  7. stand
  8. foundation
Noun
  • The buildup made the lake about 4 feet deep and caused harmful algae to bloom, according to the organization.
    — Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 29 Sep. 2026
  • The Ordinary also staked out its first flagship, of 170 square feet, in Paris’ Marais district after a successful pop-up drew lines outside the door.
    — Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of foot
Noun
  • The Orange Order is named after William of Orange, a Protestant prince of Holland who defeated the Catholic King James to take over the British throne in the 17th century.
    — Pan Pylas, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2026
  • The preview ends with a heart-swelling image of Osbourne smiling and squirming with joy in his throne.
    — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of throne
Noun
  • Before the speaker’s podium stood a vase filled with white roses; to the right, a large photograph of the deceased.
    — Peter E. Gordon, The New York Review of Books, 3 Oct. 2026
  • While Adebayo might be overshadowed by Antetokounmpo at the podium, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra expects Antetokounmpo to help bring more attention to Adebayo’s sometimes overlooked and underappreciated two-way skill set this season.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of podium
Noun
  • Democrats’ hopes rise in Texas Democrats are feeling newly optimistic about Texas, even in deep-red seats.
    — semafor.com, semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2026
  • However, in this case, the two Democratic seats in the minority are currently vacant, and one Republican seat is about to be vacated.
    — Tzachi Zach, The Conversation, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of seat
Noun
  • The company also has a YouTube channel with more than 800,000 subscribers, a following that has grown significantly in recent months (the account has added half a million subscribers on the platform since January 2025).
    — Max Tani, semafor.com, 5 Oct. 2026
  • It’s been further modified by many factors, from today’s online publishing platforms to new means for assessing and quantifying scientific impact, and the increasingly interdisciplinary and team-based nature of research.
    — Jeffrey S. Flier, STAT, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of platform
Noun
  • Instead of using a conventional crane capable of reaching the top of the tower, the company used a telescoping tower design.
    — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Waiting at the top is a life-changing jackpot, to share with whoever makes it there.
    — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of top
Noun
  • Besides listening to music for more than 10 hours straight, festival-goers can grab a bite to eat at various food and beverage stands, as well as pick up swag from numerous activations.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Change is something the iconic Miami farm stand and bakery, first opened by brothers Ray and Russell Knaus in 1956, weathered on a far larger scale last year.
    — Connie Ogle October 1, Miami Herald, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of stand
Noun
  • Hawaii residents are still recovering from Hurricane Lala, which produced heavy rain and winds strong enough to sweep about 100 homes off their foundations on the Big Island.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 29 Sep. 2026
  • From polished and ladylike to more relaxed and directional, the skirt felt like the foundation of the spring wardrobe, signaling a shift toward more intentional, feminine dressing.
    — Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of foundation

Phrases Containing pedestal

Browse Nearby Words

peddling
pedestal
pedestals
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Cite this Entry

“Pedestal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pedestal. Accessed 5 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on pedestal

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pedestal

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