structure 1 of 2

1
as in building
something built as a dwelling, shelter, or place for human activity the only structure on the island is an old Spanish fort—or what's left of it

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2
as in construction
something put together by arranging or connecting an array of parts the Egyptian pyramids are among the most remarkable structures ever built

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3
as in framework
the arrangement of parts that gives something its basic form the basic structure of all those tract houses is the same: basically, a box

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structure

2 of 2

verb

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of structure
Noun
While there is no way for an AI assistant to replace a genuine human connection, a comforting presence can go a long way if no other support structure is available. Wyles Daniel, USA Today, 17 May 2025 The movies had developed a bit of a formulaic structure where there was a premonition, the premonition was avoided, and then death came after the characters one by one. William Earl, Variety, 16 May 2025
Verb
The film’s financing was structured heavily around Kirk Douglas, who on the morning of shooting, was set as Rambo’s handler Col Trautman. Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 30 Apr. 2025 Rather than structure the restaurant to face the landscape, Post Company focused on fashioning a space that looks inward. Kate Kassin, Bon Appetit Magazine, 29 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for structure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for structure
Noun
  • According to the study, only around one percent of the total land area in the 28 cities lies within zones with differing rates of motion that could impact buildings and other infrastructure.
    Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 May 2025
  • The bond measures can only be used for equipment, school buildings and technology, whereas the tax parcel has been used to purchase class materials, increase pay to help with teacher retention and extend school library hours.
    Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 8 May 2025
Noun
  • The union’s plan calls for renovations and rebuilds among 18 existing facilities and the construction of a new training center, whereas the department pitched a 10-year, three-phase plan that would address some but not all facility concerns.
    Sofi Zeman, Kansas City Star, 12 May 2025
  • The ceramic construction of this 19 x 16 x 25-inch bird bath—which may even attract other pollinators like butterflies—is surprisingly durable.
    Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 May 2025
Noun
  • The combination of sensitive data, proprietary algorithms and changing regulatory frameworks calls for a more prudent and deliberate approach.
    Paul Ponzeka, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025
  • As religious participation declines, one important answer is to create secular frameworks that similarly build common meaning and shared purpose among people—qualities that machines, by definition, cannot provide.
    Kim Samuel, Time, 14 May 2025
Verb
  • In total, the crews constructed three embankment dams made of dirt and stone, the highest of which was about 26 feet tall.
    Monica Cull, Discover Magazine, 9 May 2025
  • Archaeologists rediscover 17th-century brick kiln at William & Mary A team of archaeologists at the College of William & Mary, the second-oldest university in the United States, recently rediscovered a brick kiln used to help construct the Wren Building.
    Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 9 May 2025
Noun
  • Both Hull and his production team and the Disney+ series’s own VFX team use the weight of Barbican estate style and brutalist architecture to create the sense of order being imposed on those lower levels of the city.
    Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 10 May 2025
  • As organizations ship more features, spin up new services, and adopt increasingly complex architectures, the volume of observability data expands in parallel.
    William Jones, USA Today, 9 May 2025
Verb
  • So, nix that step by building a home gym that makes squeezing in a HIIT class first thing in the morning, a treadmill run at lunch or a yoga session on the fly much more doable.
    Sarah Sekula, USA Today, 17 May 2025
  • But it’s also used as a preservative in a wide variety of products, from building materials to paints and plastics.
    Kaitlin Sullivan, Health, 17 May 2025
Noun
  • In the report, the Pentagon stated that China has adopted a global counter-terrorism strategy to prevent terrorist attacks against its citizens and economic interests abroad—such as the Belt and Road Initiative, a global infrastructure program that expands China's influence.
    Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 May 2025
  • Once in place, the same algorithmic infrastructure that delivers economic advantage could be weaponized for political control.
    Ian Bremmer, Foreign Affairs, 13 May 2025
Verb
  • Visions of a council of trusted Star Twins formed in my head – a gut check from the great beyond!
    Jessie Rosen, People.com, 3 May 2025
  • There were alliances that formed and broke, romances that formed and broke, friendships that formed and broke.
    Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 3 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Structure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/structure. Accessed 20 May. 2025.

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