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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The pilasters and the corner supports on the building matched the detailed architectural drawings that Vitruvius left behind.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Jan. 2026
Noun
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But Anunoby typically elevates the Knicks as one of their defensive anchors and complementary scorers.—
Mark Medina,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
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Supporting these anchors is Baltimore County’s higher education ecosystem — Community College of Baltimore County, Goucher, Stevenson, Towson and UMBC — already producing the professionals our hospitals need.—
Patrick Roddy,
Baltimore Sun,
9 June 2026
Noun
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Another standout is the indoor pool, where angular columns and hexagonal floor tiles lend a sculptural quality to the space, which also incorporates a spa and massage suite.—
Tori Latham,
Robb Report,
11 June 2026
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Colbert’s actual desk, chairs, credenza, stage columns and other set pieces arrived an hour late but intact Thursday.—
Robert Channick,
Chicago Tribune,
10 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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For six weeks every year, millions of Orthodox Christians around the world adopt a largely vegan diet, abstaining from meat, dairy products, eggs, and fish with backbones.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pillars.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pillars. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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