as in basis
an immaterial thing upon which something else rests
regards individual freedom and democracy as the warp and woof of any civilized society
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 warp and woof
These creations are so woven into the warp and woof of our culture that some of them have morphed into images and words in our everyday speech and writing.
—
Richard Lederer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 July 2025
The rise and fall of nations is the warp and woof of international relations.
—Robert Kagan, Foreign Affairs, 6 Apr. 2022
But it’s part of the warp and woof of Dallas’ history.
—Dallas News, 22 Apr. 2022
Structure and process are the warp and woof of a successful business.
—Mark Sirkin, Forbes, 11 July 2022
Those years are sprinkled into the warp and woof of every life phase, from longer childhoods, to ‘emerging adulthoods’ to the quickly-multiplying phases of active adulthood and emerging elderhood.
—Avivah Wittenberg-Cox, Forbes, 1 Sep. 2021
Pat Tyler’s homespun frocks, as well as smart suits for the city slickers of Asheville, mesh beautifully with the warp and woof of the people of bluegrass country.
—Joanne Engelhardt, The Mercury News, 16 Sep. 2019
All that was needed was the warp and woof of speaker dresses, rather than the big loudspeakers on stage, which suddenly seemed so 20th century.
—Mark Swed, latimes.com, 18 Apr. 2018
Richard Lederer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 July 2025
The rise and fall of nations is the warp and woof of international relations.
—Robert Kagan, Foreign Affairs, 6 Apr. 2022
But it’s part of the warp and woof of Dallas’ history.
—Dallas News, 22 Apr. 2022
Structure and process are the warp and woof of a successful business.
—Mark Sirkin, Forbes, 11 July 2022
Those years are sprinkled into the warp and woof of every life phase, from longer childhoods, to ‘emerging adulthoods’ to the quickly-multiplying phases of active adulthood and emerging elderhood.
—Avivah Wittenberg-Cox, Forbes, 1 Sep. 2021
Pat Tyler’s homespun frocks, as well as smart suits for the city slickers of Asheville, mesh beautifully with the warp and woof of the people of bluegrass country.
—Joanne Engelhardt, The Mercury News, 16 Sep. 2019
All that was needed was the warp and woof of speaker dresses, rather than the big loudspeakers on stage, which suddenly seemed so 20th century.
—Mark Swed, latimes.com, 18 Apr. 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for warp and woof
Noun
-
And buyouts mean that towns’ tax bases decrease, bringing in less money to apply to future floods.—
John Seabrook,
New Yorker,
21 July 2025
-
After Chandler Simpson popped out — ending his Rays rookie-record hitting streak at 18 games — Ha-Seong Kim and Yandy Diaz walked, loading the bases and bringing up All-Star Junior Caminero.—
Marc Topkin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
21 July 2025
Noun
-
Rogge wasn’t admitted and did a foundation year in Antwerp. 2005 - 2008 Enrolls in the bachelor’s program at the Royal Academy.—
Laird Borrelli-Persson,
Vogue,
15 July 2025
-
The Rangoon operation laid the foundation for further collaboration between India and Pakistan.—
Sam Dalrymple,
Time,
14 July 2025
Noun
-
Offering an inclusive and expansive product range is a cornerstone of K-Beauty World.—
Celia Shatzman,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
-
Fostering community is a cornerstone of H&M’s diversity and inclusion mission.—
Dominique Fluker,
Essence,
14 July 2025
Noun
-
And some Senate Republicans are raising alarm bells about cuts that make up the bedrock of the package.—
Allison Pecorin,
ABC News,
14 July 2025
-
Terrain and Hydrology The region hardest hit — the Texas Hill Country — is particularly vulnerable to flash flooding due to its rugged terrain and shallow soil: Steep slopes and limestone bedrock cause water to run off quickly instead of soaking into the ground.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Warp and woof.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/warp%20and%20woof. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share