as in cornerstones
an immaterial thing upon which something else rests
a sense of history is the keystone to the city's draw as a tourist destination
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Recent Examples of keystones
The theory of evolution, one of the keystones of modern biological theory, is based on the idea that living things on Earth can be traced back to other preexisting types and that the differences are due to modifications that occurred over successive generations.
—
Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
Just trying to get to the keystones in this instance.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
And how exactly does that fit into the equation of the keystones of our survival?
—Outside Online, 12 Nov. 2025
Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
Just trying to get to the keystones in this instance.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
And how exactly does that fit into the equation of the keystones of our survival?
—Outside Online, 12 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for keystones
Noun
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Loris Karius and January arrival Edin Dzeko have been cornerstones of this resurgence.—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
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Could both be cornerstones for the future to turn this franchise around?—
Jeff Vorva,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Plans for the new government building are set to begin, with the laying of foundations scheduled for the end of 2026.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Apr. 2026
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This is a year of work and building to create solid foundations in your life.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
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One of the bedrocks of Bednar’s coaching philosophy is breaking the season into 10-game segments.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
3 Apr. 2026
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Better yet, those bedrocks are as plentiful as ever.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Keystones.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/keystones. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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