Thesaurus results for BASIS

basis

noun

ˈbā-səs

Definition of basis

as in foundation

an immaterial thing upon which something else rests the sole basis for the rumor is someone's overactive imagination

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 basis Other Disney attractions have been the basis for television and movie productions, including Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion and Jungle Cruise, all operating at Magic Kingdom theme park. — Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Aug. 2026 Pearson hit Lewis’ elbow, loading the bases with one out in the top of the eighth. — Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 7 Aug. 2026 Building this regulatory capacity would also give the United States a sound basis for advancing credible international agreements on frontier AI. — Michael Posner, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026 Of course, earnings are crucial and form the basis of the most common way to value stocks on Wall Street ( a price-to-earnings ratio ). — Zev Fima, CNBC, 6 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for basis

Recent Examples of Synonyms for basis

Noun

Historical background The complexities of Pennsylvania’s system of municipalities go back to its foundation as a colony in the 17th century.

— Scott Spires, Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 Aug. 2026
The organization is funded through Howard County government, state and federal grants, private foundations, and contributions from individuals, community groups, the faith community and local businesses.

— Adam Thompson, CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of foundation

Noun

The Studio Behind The Technology Annapurna Studios (not to be confused with the Megan Ellison-founded Annapurna Pictures in Hollywood) has been a cornerstone of Indian cinema for half a century.

— Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
Summers has been one of the cornerstones of the X-Men comics, first appearing in a 1963 The X-Men from Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.

— Justin Kroll, Deadline, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of cornerstone

Noun

That means people are still making $22,200 less than what's needed to purchase what's often defined as a bedrock of the American Dream while remaining financially comfortable.

— Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 7 Aug. 2026
Such honesty could be the bedrock for a global effort to both reap the rewards of AI and rein in its worst aspects.

— The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of bedrock

Noun

When it’s finally revealed that there are monstrous beings at work, there’s little justification of what their goals are.

— Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 7 Aug. 2026
An upbeat news report explains that rates of teen pregnancy are down, which is a very 1980s justification.

— Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of justification

Browse Nearby Words

basins

basis

bask

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Basis.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/basis. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of basis

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on basis

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

vacuous

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Words of the Week - Aug. 14

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes