1
as in pilasters
an upright shaft that supports an overhead structure
the ancient Greek temple boasted graceful marble pillars with richly ornamented tops
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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
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Recent Examples of pillars
But merger enforcement should remain focused on competition and the potential for consumer and worker harm — the core pillars of antitrust — not political disagreements over content or viewpoint.
—
Bill Lockyer, HollywoodReporter, 1 June 2026
In information technology, the highest company score — the average of the orientation and implementation pillars — and the only 100, went to chipmaker Nvidia, which has become the world’s largest company by selling the chips and systems that have powered the development of AI models and services.
—Cj Haddad, CNBC, 1 June 2026
Here, 120 massive concrete pillars sink 50 feet into the ground, down to the bedrock, to support the weight of the marble above.
—CBS News, 31 May 2026
Such an initiative should rest on five pillars.
—David A. Deptula, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
Two additional organizations have built enduring pillars of support for the community to last beyond the sacrifice.
—D’juan Wilcher, Boston Herald, 25 May 2026
Soviet engineers and mining specialists retooled the Nicaro plant and the Moa Bay nickel complex into pillars of the island’s economy and icons of Cuban sovereignty, funding power plants and social programs.
—Vivian Salama, The Atlantic, 24 May 2026
The Open Society Foundations initiative is structured across two core pillars — defending civil liberties and the rule of law and expanding civil rights and creating economic opportunity.
—Geoff Harris, Baltimore Sun, 22 May 2026
The hub aligns with Hellmann’s Forward2030 strategy, strengthening the company’s fashion vertical as one of the pillars of long-term growth within its global network.
—Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 22 May 2026
Bill Lockyer, HollywoodReporter, 1 June 2026
In information technology, the highest company score — the average of the orientation and implementation pillars — and the only 100, went to chipmaker Nvidia, which has become the world’s largest company by selling the chips and systems that have powered the development of AI models and services.
—Cj Haddad, CNBC, 1 June 2026
Here, 120 massive concrete pillars sink 50 feet into the ground, down to the bedrock, to support the weight of the marble above.
—CBS News, 31 May 2026
Such an initiative should rest on five pillars.
—David A. Deptula, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
Two additional organizations have built enduring pillars of support for the community to last beyond the sacrifice.
—D’juan Wilcher, Boston Herald, 25 May 2026
Soviet engineers and mining specialists retooled the Nicaro plant and the Moa Bay nickel complex into pillars of the island’s economy and icons of Cuban sovereignty, funding power plants and social programs.
—Vivian Salama, The Atlantic, 24 May 2026
The Open Society Foundations initiative is structured across two core pillars — defending civil liberties and the rule of law and expanding civil rights and creating economic opportunity.
—Geoff Harris, Baltimore Sun, 22 May 2026
The hub aligns with Hellmann’s Forward2030 strategy, strengthening the company’s fashion vertical as one of the pillars of long-term growth within its global network.
—Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 22 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
-
The historic resort town of Zakopane anchors the Polish side, while Slovakia’s High Tatras deliver mountain lakes, waterfalls and flocks of sheep among rocky crests.—
Hanna Wickes,
Kansas City Star,
4 June 2026
-
Michael Kosta hosts tonight, and the other anchors include Jon Stewart, Desi Lydic, Ronny Chieng and Josh Johnson.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
4 June 2026
Noun
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Dark wood, red cushions, thick green curtains, white columns, sparkling chandeliers, and touches of gold and silver fill the spaces.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 June 2026
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The grand walled Greco-Roman settlement is entered through 2nd-century Hadrian’s Arch and includes the Temple of Zeus, the Hippodrome, the Temple of Artemis and the Forum’s oval colonnade of 56 Corinthian columns.—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
3 June 2026
Noun
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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
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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
Cite this Entry
“Pillars.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pillars. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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