foundation

noun

fau̇n-ˈdā-shən How to pronounce foundation (audio)
Definition of foundationnext
1
as in institute
a public organization with a particular purpose or function donated to a foundation that supported cancer research

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in basis
an immaterial thing upon which something else rests she had a good enough foundation in math to pursue an economics degree

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 foundation Scholarships on the site appear to be funded largely by an array of private groups, including foundations, associations, fraternities, unions and other organizations. — Todd Wallack, Washington Post, 10 Aug. 2026 That was the same year as the foundation of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the United Nations body created to independently assess the science related to the world’s climate. — Literary Hub, 10 Aug. 2026 The company has been trying to position the Muse family as the foundation for a more capable Meta AI assistant across Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and its Ray-Ban Meta AI glasses, while also being competitive with models from Anthropic and OpenAI. — Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 10 Aug. 2026 Abu Baker spoke at a 1993 meeting with a Hamas-supporting Muslim Brotherhood committee about hiding the foundation’s terrorist ties to solicit donations under the guise of charitable work, the DOJ found. — Hudson Crozier, The Washington Examiner, 9 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for foundation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foundation
  1. institute
  2. basis
  3. institution
  4. cornerstone
  5. group
  6. bedrock
Noun
  • Wiroon Supasingsiripreecha, head of the institute, said most of the victims suffered a single fatal gunshot wound to a vital area, including the chest or head.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Chinese law schools have since launched several dozen programs, institutes, and degrees dedicated to training lawyers in international law and the legal systems of other countries.
    — Mark Jia, Foreign Affairs, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of institute
Noun
  • Chicago White Sox pitching coach Zach Bove visited starter Noah Schultz after the left-hander hit Cleveland Guardians cleanup batter Jo Adell with a pitch to load the bases with one out Friday at Rate Field.
    — LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Reds left-hander Andrew Abbott retired seven straight before singles by Henry Bolte and Tommy White and a walk to Jonah Heim loaded the bases in the fourth.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of basis
Noun
  • In every other high-stakes industry, independent institutions exist precisely so that public safety doesn’t depend on voluntary transparency.
    — Andrew Freedman, Fortune, 8 Aug. 2026
  • The company also is being asked to provide free broadband and Wi-Fi service for about 50 eligible institutions, including schools, libraries and community centers for several years.
    — Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of institution
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
  • Brazilians lead the way in seven different age groups, from Philippe Coutinho at 16 all the way to Neymar aged 31.
    — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026
  • The group of officers included at least two plainclothes officers wearing bulletproof vests, who arrived in an unmarked car shortly before the shooting.
    — Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of group
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

Browse Nearby Words

found
foundation
foundationless
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Cite this Entry

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

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Nglish: Translation of foundation for Spanish Speakers

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