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
Contemporary accounts speak to the cruelty and exploitation that were pillars of economies of the time.
—
Valerie L. Myers, The Conversation, 8 Jan. 2026
The geologic monocline extends almost 100 miles and is surrounded by white sandstone domes, towering monoliths, and otherworldly pillars and arches.
—Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 7 Jan. 2026
The film is often referred to as one of the most important titles of the 1990s and is also considered one of the most important pillars of the contemporary slow cinema movement.
—Zac Ntim, Deadline, 6 Jan. 2026
The feature follows the struggle of a small Hungarian village after the fall of communism, and is regarded as one of the most important pillars of the slow cinema movement.
—Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Jan. 2026
Truth and trust remain the indispensable pillars of modern civilization—and the degree to which they can be restored or reimagined will determine the contours of our future.
—Klaus Schwab, Time, 5 Jan. 2026
Together, these pillars support LG’s Zero Labor Home vision.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 5 Jan. 2026
Given their ages, Minten and Khusnutdinov project to be long-term support players for Pastrnak, Charlie McAvoy and Jeremy Swayman, the organization’s primary pillars.
—Fluto Shinzawa, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
My first apartment on 15th and Union Square was a studio in a classy old building with marble pillars, one small room with a bigger bathroom and strangely an even bigger closet.
—Literary Hub, 6 Nov. 2025
Valerie L. Myers, The Conversation, 8 Jan. 2026
The geologic monocline extends almost 100 miles and is surrounded by white sandstone domes, towering monoliths, and otherworldly pillars and arches.
—Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 7 Jan. 2026
The film is often referred to as one of the most important titles of the 1990s and is also considered one of the most important pillars of the contemporary slow cinema movement.
—Zac Ntim, Deadline, 6 Jan. 2026
The feature follows the struggle of a small Hungarian village after the fall of communism, and is regarded as one of the most important pillars of the slow cinema movement.
—Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Jan. 2026
Truth and trust remain the indispensable pillars of modern civilization—and the degree to which they can be restored or reimagined will determine the contours of our future.
—Klaus Schwab, Time, 5 Jan. 2026
Together, these pillars support LG’s Zero Labor Home vision.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 5 Jan. 2026
Given their ages, Minten and Khusnutdinov project to be long-term support players for Pastrnak, Charlie McAvoy and Jeremy Swayman, the organization’s primary pillars.
—Fluto Shinzawa, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
My first apartment on 15th and Union Square was a studio in a classy old building with marble pillars, one small room with a bigger bathroom and strangely an even bigger closet.
—Literary Hub, 6 Nov. 2025
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
-
Past colleagues who have stepped in include Saturday Today co-anchors Peter Alexander and Laura Jarrett, as well as Sunday Today host Willie Geist.—
Staff Author,
PEOPLE,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Much of the filming in Rhode Island was of iconic sights as establishing shots to anchors the story in Rhode Island.—
Paul Edward Parker,
The Providence Journal,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Sign up for Sound Off to get a weekly roundup of our columns, editorials and more.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Conceived as a modern tropical mansion visible to drivers crossing the causeway that connects Miami Beach to Miami, the house stood out for its tall columns flanked by nearly transparent white curtains from ceiling to floor, opening panoramically to the pool and Biscayne Bay.—
Sarah Moreno,
Miami Herald,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Discovered in 1981, the tiny backbones — just a few millimeters long — had not received much attention historically.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Nov. 2025
-
Driving trucks is one of the unappreciated backbones of modern civilization.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
6 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pillars.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pillars. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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