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
Alongside schools and transportation, public safety is one of the foundational pillars of a strong and growing county.
—
Nick Stewart, Baltimore Sun, 9 May 2026
Give me 20 ideas across my content pillars of [list 3-4 themes].
—Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 9 May 2026
Animation is also an area of production that Anonymous has targeted for growth in its business pillars of talent management and production.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 8 May 2026
Apparel and leather goods also remain core pillars, collectively ensuring that these top categories represent the vast majority of total sales.
—Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 7 May 2026
Expect programming organized around pillars or paths (movement, nourishment, rest, discovery), multiple accommodation tiers, and dining that’s treated as part of the experience rather than an afterthought.
—Lauren Schuster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 May 2026
And those two are our OGs that are the pillars of the show.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 7 May 2026
The shrinking number of shares in the investable universe has been one of the pillars of recent bull markets.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 6 May 2026
For years, anti-American rhetoric served as one of the central ideological pillars holding Chavismo together.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 6 May 2026
Nick Stewart, Baltimore Sun, 9 May 2026
Give me 20 ideas across my content pillars of [list 3-4 themes].
—Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 9 May 2026
Animation is also an area of production that Anonymous has targeted for growth in its business pillars of talent management and production.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 8 May 2026
Apparel and leather goods also remain core pillars, collectively ensuring that these top categories represent the vast majority of total sales.
—Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 7 May 2026
Expect programming organized around pillars or paths (movement, nourishment, rest, discovery), multiple accommodation tiers, and dining that’s treated as part of the experience rather than an afterthought.
—Lauren Schuster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 May 2026
And those two are our OGs that are the pillars of the show.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 7 May 2026
The shrinking number of shares in the investable universe has been one of the pillars of recent bull markets.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 6 May 2026
For years, anti-American rhetoric served as one of the central ideological pillars holding Chavismo together.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 6 May 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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For the Kansas test, researchers cut around 40% of the house’s anchors to the ground and hit it again, first with 110 mph, and finally 130 mph.—
Alexandra Phelps,
Miami Herald,
14 May 2026
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Alumnae have become actors, anchors, authors and more.—
Sharon Chin,
CBS News,
14 May 2026
Noun
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Students at the University of Missouri in Columbia took the fad to record-setting new heights on March 5, 1974, when 600 or so naked folks ran past the historic columns on campus while a crowd of about 1,500 people cheered them on.—
Lisa Gutierrez,
Kansas City Star,
14 May 2026
-
Second of two columns on transformation in defense technology and manufacturing.—
David Ignatius,
Washington Post,
14 May 2026
Noun
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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
Cite this Entry
“Pillars.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pillars. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
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