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
Due to the material’s structural limitations, it cannot be used for high-strength or critical load-bearing structures like skyscraper pillars or major bridges.
—
Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 15 June 2026
When constructed, the stone circle was aligned with the sun, and to this day, thousands of people gather to witness the moment the sun peeks perfectly through its pillars.
—Julia Gomez, USA Today, 14 June 2026
Her clutch 3-pointer nearly spoiled the synergy of Boston and Clark, but when the game hung in the balance, the Fever’s franchise pillars went to a level no other duo in the league has reached.
—James Boyd, New York Times, 12 June 2026
Rectangular lamps were fixed at regular intervals between the pillars, and green metal railings lined the gaps to keep people from falling into the water.
—Literary Hub, 11 June 2026
Walking through the sites feels like moving through a dense forest of iron pillars rising into the air.
—Sanggay Tashi, The Conversation, 11 June 2026
Elsewhere, three pillars of the theatre community — André Bishop, Jules Fisher, and James Lapine — each received the 2026 Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre.
—Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 8 June 2026
Lectra’s solutions support each of these pillars individually while connecting all stages of the garment lifecycle through centralized data and integrated workflows.
—Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 4 June 2026
Since their release, the novels have become regarded as pillars of 21st-century writing.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 4 June 2026
Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 15 June 2026
When constructed, the stone circle was aligned with the sun, and to this day, thousands of people gather to witness the moment the sun peeks perfectly through its pillars.
—Julia Gomez, USA Today, 14 June 2026
Her clutch 3-pointer nearly spoiled the synergy of Boston and Clark, but when the game hung in the balance, the Fever’s franchise pillars went to a level no other duo in the league has reached.
—James Boyd, New York Times, 12 June 2026
Rectangular lamps were fixed at regular intervals between the pillars, and green metal railings lined the gaps to keep people from falling into the water.
—Literary Hub, 11 June 2026
Walking through the sites feels like moving through a dense forest of iron pillars rising into the air.
—Sanggay Tashi, The Conversation, 11 June 2026
Elsewhere, three pillars of the theatre community — André Bishop, Jules Fisher, and James Lapine — each received the 2026 Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre.
—Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 8 June 2026
Lectra’s solutions support each of these pillars individually while connecting all stages of the garment lifecycle through centralized data and integrated workflows.
—Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 4 June 2026
Since their release, the novels have become regarded as pillars of 21st-century writing.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 4 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pillars
Noun
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Even now, its fins and pilasters adorn plenty of new construction, and in real-estate-speak, the phrase is code for high class.—
Justin Davidson,
Curbed,
8 June 2026
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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
Noun
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Live coverage on Fox News Channel kicks off Wednesday, June 24th and concludes on Sunday, July 5th, with correspondents and anchors stationed at the National Mall, Liberty State Park, Philadelphia, Mount Rushmore and Teddy Roosevelt’s Presidential Library, among others venues.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
16 June 2026
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Drinking a glass shortly after waking up and another before bed creates simple hydration anchors that can make healthy habits easier to maintain.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
16 June 2026
Noun
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Designed to blur the line between indoors and outdoors, the home is organized as a series of pavilions surrounding a massive central atrium with a reflecting pool, sculptural curves, and a distinctive grid-like roof supported by colossal columns.—
Mark David,
Robb Report,
18 June 2026
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And though the Patriots are trying to gear up for a grueling training camp, heading into a season as the reigning AFC champions, the questions, columns, talk shows and more are likely to continue.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
18 June 2026
Noun
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Data centers also need to be close enough to users and network backbones to provide fast digital services.—
Sven Bilén,
The Conversation,
16 June 2026
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Even when degraded, enzymes have stable backbones that might be capable of catalyzing reactions, said Sudha Rajamani, an astrobiologist at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune who wasn’t involved in the study.—
Siddhant Pusdekar,
Quanta Magazine,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pillars.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pillars. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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