1
as in pilasters
an upright shaft that supports an overhead structure
the ancient Greek temple boasted graceful marble pillars with richly ornamented tops
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in anchors
something or someone to which one looks for support
my father has been my pillar throughout this crisis
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pillars
The strikes, which marked the first time in the war Israel has openly attacked civilian industrial infrastructure in Iran, sent fiery pillars and black smoke into the sky and caused oily raindrops to fall onto the city.
—
Npr Staff, NPR, 9 Mar. 2026
While the iron was replaced with steel and a new deck was added in the 1930s, the limestone pillars are original.
—Julia Buckley, CNN Money, 9 Mar. 2026
The first are germanium pillars, which have a high refractive index.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 8 Mar. 2026
This special issue explores how mathematicians are still renovating and rebuilding the core pillars of their field today.
—Quanta Magazine, 6 Mar. 2026
Hajj, one of the pillars of Islam, is required once in a lifetime for every Muslim who can afford it and is physically able to make it.
—ABC News, 6 Mar. 2026
The series will further expand into a network of additional programming, live events and other pillars of content.
—Erin Lassner, HollywoodReporter, 5 Mar. 2026
The pillars of Hungarian-style family policy, which Vance repeatedly praised, are nowhere near codification in America.
—Idrees Kahloon, The Atlantic, 5 Mar. 2026
Three pillars The World Bank Group is pursuing the first path with urgency, bringing together public finance, knowledge, private capital and risk-management tools around a jobs strategy built on three pillars.
—Ajaypal Banga, Twin Cities, 1 Mar. 2026
Npr Staff, NPR, 9 Mar. 2026
While the iron was replaced with steel and a new deck was added in the 1930s, the limestone pillars are original.
—Julia Buckley, CNN Money, 9 Mar. 2026
The first are germanium pillars, which have a high refractive index.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 8 Mar. 2026
This special issue explores how mathematicians are still renovating and rebuilding the core pillars of their field today.
—Quanta Magazine, 6 Mar. 2026
Hajj, one of the pillars of Islam, is required once in a lifetime for every Muslim who can afford it and is physically able to make it.
—ABC News, 6 Mar. 2026
The series will further expand into a network of additional programming, live events and other pillars of content.
—Erin Lassner, HollywoodReporter, 5 Mar. 2026
The pillars of Hungarian-style family policy, which Vance repeatedly praised, are nowhere near codification in America.
—Idrees Kahloon, The Atlantic, 5 Mar. 2026
Three pillars The World Bank Group is pursuing the first path with urgency, bringing together public finance, knowledge, private capital and risk-management tools around a jobs strategy built on three pillars.
—Ajaypal Banga, Twin Cities, 1 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pillars
Noun
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In the end, Laffrey, whose Broadway credits include Maybe Happy Ending and Parade, settled for using an iPhone app to record the size of pilasters and mullioned mirrors.—
Carey Purcell,
Architectural Digest,
27 Oct. 2025
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With pilasters, a limestone facade, and classic symmetrical design, the three-story building exemplifies the Beaux-Arts style popular at the turn of the 20th century, grand but not ostentatious.—
Irene S. Levine,
Forbes.com,
5 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The couple will join Shelby, along with other WCCO anchors and reporters Bill Carlson, Darcy Pohland and Mark Rosen as Hall of Fame as inductees.—
Aki Nace,
CBS News,
12 Mar. 2026
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His legs felt like anchors dragging across the court.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Some questions may be adapted into full columns, and transcripts of the chats remain available after each session concludes.—
Carolyn Hax,
Washington Post,
27 Mar. 2026
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The monument features 22-foot columns carved with images of community heroes and mentors.—
Jane Horowitz,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Hundreds of animals with backbones are still being discovered every single year.—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
6 Mar. 2026
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To start the new Mideast war, Donnie acted on his own with no resistance from his sycophants, who have no backbones.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
3 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pillars.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pillars. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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