Definition of footholdnext
as in base
a place from which an advance (as for military operations) is made don't let the opposing team push us back down the field and gain a foothold

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 foothold The situation remained tense in the Center region as well, notably in Mirebalais and Saut-d’Eau, where gangs continued to have a foothold. Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 25 Aug. 2026 Along with trying to shave the Republican advantage in the district's dozen-plus rural counties, Bohannan is also trying to gain a foothold in its more urban and suburban hubs. ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026 Beyond giving Russia a foothold and a warm-water port, these bases were also vital for sustaining and resupplying its military and paramilitary operations in Africa. Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026 His mother has an annex on the property, and his two children—Kitty, 21, and Bill, 23, now based in LA—have gained a foothold in their home country. Laura Regensdorf, Architectural Digest, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for foothold
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foothold
Noun
  • To do that, construction crews bolstered the temple’s thick granite walls with vertical cables running from the towers to its base.
    Brandon Griggs, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Tend the base, honor the feeling, and let home support what comes next.
    Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Otherwise, the Ravens filled 14 of their 17 practice squad spots with players who were on the team during training camp.
    Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The firefighters made camp at two in the morning, reclining on the pillowy grass, and ate dinner around a flickering campfire.
    M. R. O’Connor, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • The terrain is a natural fortress, and bombing is of limited effectiveness.
    Danielle Parker, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026
  • There is a micronation on a fortress at sea off the coast of Great Britain, and the British government once considered blowing it up.
    Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Foothold.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foothold. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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