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
Science is only one of the pillars of Mashpi.
—
Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Mar. 2026
There was a point when Matos and Marco Luciano were considered future pillars of the organization, but both former top prospects have seen their time with the Giants end in recent months.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 30 Mar. 2026
For many streamers, adaptations have become pillars of content, so much so that the platforms offer book adaptations as one of their browsing categories.
—Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 29 Mar. 2026
And hopefully some of them become Pro Bowl caliber talents like Achane, and pillars of the franchise like left tackle Patrick Paul.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 29 Mar. 2026
Yet Republicans are hardly on the same page about what should go into a reconciliation bill, and even the legislation’s core pillars have become controversial among congressional Republicans.
—David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 28 Mar. 2026
Business travel and tourism are key pillars of the plan.
—Nick Wooten, Dallas Morning News, 28 Mar. 2026
Instead of sharing policies, procedures and resources among a pool of school districts, a lone school district needs to set up its own pillars.
—Kansas City Star, 26 Mar. 2026
These are all pillars of today’s legal, ethical, medical and social consensus around end-of-life care.
—Robert S. Olick, The Conversation, 23 Mar. 2026
Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Mar. 2026
There was a point when Matos and Marco Luciano were considered future pillars of the organization, but both former top prospects have seen their time with the Giants end in recent months.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 30 Mar. 2026
For many streamers, adaptations have become pillars of content, so much so that the platforms offer book adaptations as one of their browsing categories.
—Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 29 Mar. 2026
And hopefully some of them become Pro Bowl caliber talents like Achane, and pillars of the franchise like left tackle Patrick Paul.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 29 Mar. 2026
Yet Republicans are hardly on the same page about what should go into a reconciliation bill, and even the legislation’s core pillars have become controversial among congressional Republicans.
—David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 28 Mar. 2026
Business travel and tourism are key pillars of the plan.
—Nick Wooten, Dallas Morning News, 28 Mar. 2026
Instead of sharing policies, procedures and resources among a pool of school districts, a lone school district needs to set up its own pillars.
—Kansas City Star, 26 Mar. 2026
These are all pillars of today’s legal, ethical, medical and social consensus around end-of-life care.
—Robert S. Olick, The Conversation, 23 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pillars
Noun
-
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
-
That means no extra tools, no anchors, and no stress about making mistakes on your brand-new walls.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Guthrie said that doing the show again will be returning to a team that is like her family, with the tight bonds between the anchors and hosts often expressed on air.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
As the beautiful Corinthian columns of electronic music, the bands — being combined as a singular project — gave rise to an entire genre.—
Devon Ivie,
Vulture,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Huge columns made of light pink and dove gray Tennessee marble shone in the evening light filtering in from the glass roof.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
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 3 Apr. 2026.
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