1
as in buildings
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 constructions
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 architectures
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
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 structures
Barbara Gillette, The Spruce, 31 Jan. 2026
The subsequent blaze, the Mountain fire, burned nearly 20,000 acres and destroyed roughly 250 homes and structures in Camarillo Hills and nearby communities in western Ventura County.
—Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 31 Jan. 2026
The complex of industrial structures grew steadily, with several expansions between the turn of the last century and 1955.
—Paula Allen, San Antonio Express-News, 31 Jan. 2026
But these structures tend to be expensive.
—Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 31 Jan. 2026
Construction updates and remaining work When the project’s complete, Clock Tower Landing is set to feature indoor vendor areas, permanent shade structures, expanded seating and amenities like solar panels, electric vehicle chargers, native landscaping and upgraded restrooms.
—Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 31 Jan. 2026
The photos from Planet Labs PBC show new coverings over two structures at the Isfahan and Natanz facilities following the June 2025 strikes.
—Greg Norman-Diamond, FOXNews.com, 31 Jan. 2026
The money will be used to help the society’s efforts to get a National Register of Historic Places nomination and a building assessment of the home and studio of Zook, a renowned Chicago architect who lived in Hinsdale from 1889 to 1949 and was a force behind many notable structures there.
—Melinda Moore, Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan. 2026
Managing subscription bundles across dozens of countries — each with different telecom partners, regulatory requirements, and pricing structures — used to require dedicated operations teams for each region.
—Kolawole Samuel Adebayo, Forbes.com, 25 Jan. 2026
Noun
However, if falling branches don't threaten electrical lines, driveways, walkways, or structures, letting ice melt naturally is the better approach.
—Barbara Gillette, The Spruce, 31 Jan. 2026
The subsequent blaze, the Mountain fire, burned nearly 20,000 acres and destroyed roughly 250 homes and structures in Camarillo Hills and nearby communities in western Ventura County.
—Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 31 Jan. 2026
The complex of industrial structures grew steadily, with several expansions between the turn of the last century and 1955.
—Paula Allen, San Antonio Express-News, 31 Jan. 2026
But these structures tend to be expensive.
—Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 31 Jan. 2026
Construction updates and remaining work When the project’s complete, Clock Tower Landing is set to feature indoor vendor areas, permanent shade structures, expanded seating and amenities like solar panels, electric vehicle chargers, native landscaping and upgraded restrooms.
—Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 31 Jan. 2026
The photos from Planet Labs PBC show new coverings over two structures at the Isfahan and Natanz facilities following the June 2025 strikes.
—Greg Norman-Diamond, FOXNews.com, 31 Jan. 2026
The money will be used to help the society’s efforts to get a National Register of Historic Places nomination and a building assessment of the home and studio of Zook, a renowned Chicago architect who lived in Hinsdale from 1889 to 1949 and was a force behind many notable structures there.
—Melinda Moore, Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan. 2026
Managing subscription bundles across dozens of countries — each with different telecom partners, regulatory requirements, and pricing structures — used to require dedicated operations teams for each region.
—Kolawole Samuel Adebayo, Forbes.com, 25 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for structures
Noun
-
Local property taxes pay for school buildings, maintenance, repairs, heating, cooling, lighting, cyber security and buses, among other things, Anderson said.—
Alexandra Kukulka,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Jan. 2026
-
In the alley where Jenkins' body was found 10 hours later, many buildings and homes have security cameras that will record any car or person going down the alley.—
Jermont Terry,
CBS News,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The fabric family spans lightweight, airy linens to flexible linen comfort stretch constructions, allowing versatility across different silhouettes and end uses.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
26 Jan. 2026
-
The team proposes that the constructions serve primarily as a defense from predators such as hummingbirds or helicopter damselflies.—
Gennaro Tomma,
Scientific American,
19 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The industry’s shift toward GAA architectures could represent a meaningful upside driver for Lam Research.—
Sasirekha Subramanian,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
This approach addresses a common limitation of conventional robotic architectures, where perception, planning, and control are handled by separate components that can struggle to respond to unpredictable environments.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
After Yo’s death, Anna re-constructs a space where Yo’s home, stories, and their relationship continue.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
20 Jan. 2026
-
As The Late Show constructs its swan song, Colbert is thinking longitudinally.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The Act also introduced new flexibility features, including allowing employer matching contributions on student loan repayments, creating emergency savings options linked to retirement plans, and expanding the availability of Roth treatment across retirement arrangements.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Its acoustic arrangements are sparse and her lyrics fragmentary, but the mood is warm and inviting.—
Marissa Lorusso,
Pitchfork,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
At the core of this approach is a carbon shell derived from covalent organic frameworks (COFs).—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Jan. 2026
-
But ExxonMobil Chairman and CEO Darren Woods said there would need to be significant changes in the country’s legal and commercial frameworks in order to produce oil there.—
Ray Lewis,
Baltimore Sun,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Over time, repetition builds confidence.—
Rodger Dean Duncan,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Founded in Solana Beach in 2020, the Sister Cities Project builds connections between North County communities and their neighbors across the city in Southeastern San Diego.—
Karen Billing,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Traditional infrastructures depend on predictable, centralized controls, whereas the Web3 environment operates on open networks, real-time settlement, and evolving code.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Capital is increasingly deployed defensively — locked into duplicative supply chains, regulatory hedges, and parallel infrastructures — rather than to create optionality.—
Louisa Loran,
Fortune,
21 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Structures.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/structures. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
