1
as in pilasters
an upright shaft that supports an overhead structure
the ancient Greek temple boasted graceful marble pillars with richly ornamented tops
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in anchors
something or someone to which one looks for support
my father has been my pillar throughout this crisis
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pillars
Downriver from the Shoshone Falls are the Pillar Falls, a low waterfall split by rock pillars.
—
Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 26 Apr. 2026
As their mutual competitiveness grows shockingly ugly, Niall learns to turn Ruben’s Samsonian strength and fury against him, knocking down the pillars of Ruben’s own life.
—Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 24 Apr. 2026
That draft class became the defensive foundation for two more Super Bowls, and those two were pillars of it.
—Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 24 Apr. 2026
And then there is the Durbar, a banquet hall where eight elegant pillars bring prestige to the party.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
The collective’s two pillars focus on adoption enablers and practical adoption tools.
—Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 23 Apr. 2026
In addition, prosecutors say swastikas, antisemitic slogans and vulgarity were spray-painted on pillars underneath M-53 and Canal, a brick wall near a business and an electrical box at a second business.
—Joseph Buczek, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026
Burnight says fulfillment, including social connection and community, should be part of a physician’s assessment of an adult’s overall well-being through questions that assess its core pillars.
—Alexa Mikhail, Flow Space, 21 Apr. 2026
The two pillars of private markets have become deeply intertwined over the past decade, with direct lenders stepping in as a key financing engine for buyouts after banks retreated following the global financial crisis, according to industry veterans.
—Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 20 Apr. 2026
Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 26 Apr. 2026
As their mutual competitiveness grows shockingly ugly, Niall learns to turn Ruben’s Samsonian strength and fury against him, knocking down the pillars of Ruben’s own life.
—Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 24 Apr. 2026
That draft class became the defensive foundation for two more Super Bowls, and those two were pillars of it.
—Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 24 Apr. 2026
And then there is the Durbar, a banquet hall where eight elegant pillars bring prestige to the party.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
The collective’s two pillars focus on adoption enablers and practical adoption tools.
—Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 23 Apr. 2026
In addition, prosecutors say swastikas, antisemitic slogans and vulgarity were spray-painted on pillars underneath M-53 and Canal, a brick wall near a business and an electrical box at a second business.
—Joseph Buczek, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026
Burnight says fulfillment, including social connection and community, should be part of a physician’s assessment of an adult’s overall well-being through questions that assess its core pillars.
—Alexa Mikhail, Flow Space, 21 Apr. 2026
The two pillars of private markets have become deeply intertwined over the past decade, with direct lenders stepping in as a key financing engine for buyouts after banks retreated following the global financial crisis, according to industry veterans.
—Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 20 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pillars
Noun
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In the end, Laffrey, whose Broadway credits include Maybe Happy Ending and Parade, settled for using an iPhone app to record the size of pilasters and mullioned mirrors.—
Carey Purcell,
Architectural Digest,
27 Oct. 2025
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With pilasters, a limestone facade, and classic symmetrical design, the three-story building exemplifies the Beaux-Arts style popular at the turn of the 20th century, grand but not ostentatious.—
Irene S. Levine,
Forbes.com,
5 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Entrepreneurs can look for moments where values meet action and use those as narrative anchors.—
Melissa Jun Rowley,
Rolling Stone,
29 Apr. 2026
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In the foyer, a Sol LeWitt wall drawing anchors the entry — less of a decorative accent than statement of intent.—
David Caraccio,
Sacbee.com,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The canopy of rising columns that resemble a forest open above, which allows light to pour through and mimic sunlight filtering through leaves.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
30 Apr. 2026
-
When viewed from the ground outside the Lincoln Memorial, the arch’s two columns would create a frame around Arlington House.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
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As songwriters, the Ottavianos usually only needed a metaphor, a single beautiful image, or a fun double entendre to serve as narrative backbones.—
Billie Bugara,
Pitchfork,
26 Apr. 2026
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There's also a perception that squishy invertebrates — creatures without backbones — weren't formidable enough to join the ranks of top predators.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pillars.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pillars. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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