structure 1 of 2

noun

ˈstrək-chər How to pronounce structure (audio)
Definition of structurenext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
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

Synonyms & Similar Words
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

structure

2 of 2

verb

as in to construct

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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
The structure of Iran’s regime was built following the Islamic Revolution of 1979. — Xiaoqian Lin, CNN Money, 6 July 2026 Spontaneous applause erupted — and even some tears were shed — at the battered parking structure where Gil had been entombed since the two temblors struck within seconds of each other on June 24. — Mery Mogollón, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026
Verb
In focusing on architecture, the book emphasizes how buildings can structure relationships between the public, museum employees, and collections. — Kelly Presutti, ARTnews.com, 26 June 2026 Institutions can structure programs with working parents in mind by expanding evening, weekend, and online options, building stackable credentials that allow students to keep moving forward when life intervenes, and investing in child care and wraparound supports that improve retention. — Enyi Okebugwu, Fortune, 28 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for structure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for structure
  1. building
  2. construction
  3. framework
  4. construct
  5. architecture
  6. build
  7. infrastructure
  8. form
Noun
  • Additionally, the building has access to a parking spot for two cars.
    — Bay Area Home Report, Mercury News, 8 July 2026
  • At a press conference at the site, Buildings Commissioner Ahmed Tigani said that the city was bringing in emergency beams and columns to help shore up some of the unstable building’s load.
    — Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 8 July 2026
Definition of building
Noun
  • Roberts said his product would be less expensive on a per-square-foot basis than traditional construction but declined to cite figures because individual site conditions affect the overall cost.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
  • The construction worker was taken to a nearby hospital and is in critical condition.
    — Emily Harter, Kansas City Star, 6 July 2026
Definition of construction
Noun
  • Instead of doubling down on a flawed system, policymakers can make gradual changes by introducing new tax categories in the existing framework and imposing taxes that correspond to the alcoholic content of that category.
    — Adam Hoffer, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
  • In this framework, Argentina’s FIFA ranking strength and bracket path produce a higher championship probability than the markets assign.
    — Giovanni Malloy, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026
Definition of framework
Verb
  • Workers constructed a special tunnel to bring the larger ones into the building, in Midtown Manhattan.
    — Matt Viser, The Atlantic, 2 July 2026
  • Acting as the first line of defense, guardrails must be constructed to withstand today’s threats.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
Definition of construct
Noun
  • These include a popular walking tour on the history, art, and architecture of Aurora, coffee-tasting classes, and brief tarot card readings.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 July 2026
  • To operate in arid environments, the physical architecture eliminates the need for external water cooling.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 2 July 2026
Definition of architecture
Verb
  • Such strategies include building green roofs and courtyards to help with shading and air circulation, and using dense materials such as concrete or brick that can stabilize indoor temperatures in heat.
    — Ignacio Calderon, USA Today, 3 July 2026
  • The latest work uses that capability to scan the space above a chip and build a detailed electromagnetic map.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 July 2026
Definition of build
Noun
  • The company plans to test how the canister is assembled, lowered into the borehole, installed, and integrated with supporting infrastructure under real-world conditions.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 8 July 2026
  • The network could help fill gaps in EV infrastructure in states with greater need for chargers.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
Definition of infrastructure
Verb
  • Since its inception, social media has been a proving ground for tween fashion and identity, offering under-16s a digital canvas to experiment with their style and form online cliques around niche interests.
    — Sophie Lou Wilson, Vogue, 2 July 2026
  • Since the band was formed, the group has sold over 100 million records worldwide.
    — Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 2 July 2026
Definition of form

Browse Nearby Words

struck out
structure
structured
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Structure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/structure. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on structure

Nglish: Translation of structure for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of gambol

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
hangman letters and game
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All