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
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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
Structure and process are the warp and woof of a successful business.
—Mark Sirkin, Forbes, 11 July 2022
But it’s part of the warp and woof of Dallas’ history.
—Dallas News, 22 Apr. 2022
The rise and fall of nations is the warp and woof of international relations.
—Robert Kagan, Foreign Affairs, 6 Apr. 2022
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
Structure and process are the warp and woof of a successful business.
—Mark Sirkin, Forbes, 11 July 2022
But it’s part of the warp and woof of Dallas’ history.
—Dallas News, 22 Apr. 2022
The rise and fall of nations is the warp and woof of international relations.
—Robert Kagan, Foreign Affairs, 6 Apr. 2022
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
-
Wakeland will provide a case manager and activities coordinator, with services tailored to individual needs on a voluntary basis.—
Walker Armstrong,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Infinity scarves were once so popular and stylistically versatile that both Joe Jonas and Rihanna wore them on a semi-regular basis.—
Amelia McBride,
Travel + Leisure,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The Little Rock School District's suspension of a career education partnership blindsided the Academies of Central Arkansas, according to the leader of the foundation behind the program.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
12 Jan. 2026
-
No matter where his work takes him, that foundation always feels like home.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
11 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Frey says active discussion and debate—a cornerstone of a college education—is a critical activity to enhance creative thinking.—
Jake Angelo,
Fortune,
14 Jan. 2026
-
From Alabama’s white sauce to Georgia’s lemon pepper, the roundup explores how wings have become a culinary cornerstone of the South.—
CharlotteFive staff,
Charlotte Observer,
14 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
That is the bedrock upon which all else must be built.—
SHELLEY SMITH SPECIAL TO THE DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE,
Arkansas Online,
10 Jan. 2026
-
The United States has abandoned respect for state sovereignty — the bedrock principle of international politics.—
Elizabeth Shackelford,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Warp and woof.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/warp%20and%20woof. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.
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