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.

Related Words

Relevance
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.

Related Words

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 Because in order to steal them, that's the easiest way to-- to get them off the pedestal. — Anderson Cooper, CBS News, 28 June 2026 Such models include the original Ford Bronco, Chevy Blazer, and International Scout (all of which Velocity also transforms), and this reenvisioned Chevy C10, which places a beloved but truly pedestrian transport on a pedestal. — Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 26 June 2026 Chef Rob McDaniel is an expert at taking nostalgic Southern dishes and elevating them onto impressive new pedestals. — Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 19 June 2026 That alone placed her on a pedestal. — Danny Brewer, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for pedestal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pedestal
  1. foot
  2. throne
  3. podium
  4. top
  5. platform
  6. seat
  7. stand
  8. foundation
Noun
  • Rotating between a starter and an impact substitute, Barcola seemed to be in a hurry to stamp his attacking authority on games and set France on the front foot.
    — Mark Carey, New York Times, 21 July 2026
  • The nearby curvilinear 902-foot Okan Tower, which will be completed first, will also be able to claim a superlative as the tallest to open for use, until the Cipriani and Waldorf projects wrap up construction.
    — Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 21 July 2026
Definition of foot
Noun
  • In 2022, there was much focus on the symbolism of a meeting between Messi and Mbappe, seemingly the heir to the Argentinian’s throne.
    — Oliver Kay, New York Times, 19 July 2026
  • On Friday, Messi addressed the picture and lauded the 19-year-old, whom many tout at the successor to the Argentine’s throne.
    — Ben Church, CNN Money, 18 July 2026
Definition of throne
Noun
  • Eight out of 10 podiums this season have featured at least one Ferrari driver, and the Italian team secured two wins in three races (Barcelona and Silverstone).
    — Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • When Spain assembled on the podium to accept the World Cup trophy, which had been Argentina’s moments earlier, the South Americans turned their backs.
    — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 21 July 2026
Definition of podium
Noun
  • That could be a bad sign for Everton Blair, the former Gwinnett County School Board chairman who needs a strong turnout from his home county in order to rise to the top of the five-person contest.
    — Tia Mitchell, AJC.com, 24 July 2026
  • But most of those players were unable to establish themselves at the top of the game with Madrid or flourish within the national team’s style.
    — Pol Ballús, New York Times, 24 July 2026
Definition of top
Noun
  • That network exists because of the platform her employer once had to be talked into.
    — Jasmine Browley, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
  • More than 50 of the players competing in this summer’s World Cup have featured on its platform, including France and PSG duo Bradley Barcola and Warren Zaire-Emery.
    — Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 22 July 2026
Definition of platform
Noun
  • The audience giggled nervously as their seats rocked and rolled during the tense chase scene, and whenever the dinosaur went in for an attack, a squirt of water shot out from behind each audience member’s seat.
    — Matt Minton, Variety, 19 July 2026
  • Each business-class, lie-flat seat can bring in close to $10,000 on some long-haul international routes compared with $2,000 or even much less for a seat in the back.
    — Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 19 July 2026
Definition of seat
Noun
  • The lemonade stand with an international fan base In Texas, one family was left with a lifetime of memories after its backyard lemonade stand drew visitors from all over the world.
    — Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 19 July 2026
  • In the semifinals, Santa Margarita edged reigning tournament champion Mission Viejo 16-15 with a late defensive stand.
    — Dan Albano, Oc Register, 19 July 2026
Definition of stand
Noun
  • Tomatoes, roux and the Holy Trinity of diced onions, celery and green bell peppers are the foundation for many a Creole dish.
    — Catherine Garcia, TheWeek, 20 July 2026
  • Coupled with Oregon’s on-field success (one CFP quarterfinal berth, followed by a semifinal spot in its two years), it’s all added up to a solid foundation that shows no signs of weakening.
    — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
Definition of foundation

Phrases Containing pedestal

Browse Nearby Words

peddling
pedestal
pedestals
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pedestal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pedestal. Accessed 24 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on pedestal

Nglish: Translation of pedestal for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pedestal

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of itinerant

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

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

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

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

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

Popular in Wordplay

See More

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 24

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?
See More

Popular

See More

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
chain-question-mark
Missing Link Quiz July 2026 Five seconds to figure out the word that fits bot...
See All