institutions

noun

plural of institution
1
as in institutes
a public organization with a particular purpose or function a charitable institution devoted to raising funds to feed the hungry

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2
as in fixtures
a person who has long been associated with a place or activity an actor who has been a Broadway institution for decades

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in organizations
a group of persons formally joined together for some common interest an institution devoted to studying social problems and proposing solutions for them

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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 institutions Williams is concerned that a message telling people to rely on technology for healthcare engagement would undermine the credibility of community health workers and health institutions in general. — Lisa Fitzpatrick, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026 Local media also reported gunshots ringing out from the Plateau administrative district, where the Presidential Palace and key institutions are located. — ABC News, 29 Aug. 2026 When government applies the rules consistently, businesses have the confidence to invest, innovation is encouraged, public institutions earn greater trust and the public benefits. — Robin Rossenfeld, Denver Post, 28 Aug. 2026 However, instead of a conservative regression, Dressen has noticed institutions striving to adopt more innovative practices on a number of levels. — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 28 Aug. 2026 Large-scale works by Kusama are permanently installed at institutions and sites across the country, including the Matsumoto City Museum of Art in her hometown. — Tessa Solomon For Artnews, Robb Report, 28 Aug. 2026 Liberia’s flag resembles that of the US; its capital was named Monrovia after America’s fifth President James Monroe, and its early institutions were heavily influenced by Washington. — Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026 So do other institutions, including the Great Lakes Fishery Commission and groups representing the region’s mayors and legislators. — Michael Hawthorne, Chicago Tribune, 23 Aug. 2026 Welders and electricians began posting about their workdays, and those videos served as more effective recruitment than decades of messaging from institutions like his. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 23 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for institutions
  1. institutes
  2. fixtures
  3. organizations
  4. groups
  5. societies
  6. foundations
  7. associations
  8. fraternities
Noun
  • Oeko-Tex operates a global certification system through 17 independent textile and leather testing institutes in Europe and Japan.
    — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • But given the public interest in solving this challenge, there is a case for taxing the training of frontier AI models and devoting the proceeds to additional research at government AI oversight institutes or universities.
    — Foreign Affairs, Foreign Affairs, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of institutes
Noun
  • Emtek hardware, a custom range hood and JennAir appliances round out the functional upgrades, while oversized pendant lights and mixed-metal fixtures add a designer layer.
    — David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Current options range from add-on urine analyzers under $100 to premium fixtures costing thousands.
    — Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of fixtures
Noun
  • The bias in police recruitment was even worse in South Africa under apartheid, when the police forces were all-white organizations that frequently abused their power in dealings with Black South Africans.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Sunita Viswanath, executive director of Hindus for Human Rights, said her group is one of 61 interfaith and secular organizations that signed an open letter protesting Saturday’s event.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of organizations
Noun
  • El-Sayed dismissed a potential fundraising gap in the race, which could occur if donors were pushed towards Rogers or if outside groups like AIPAC intervened on Rogers’ behalf.
    — Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Wednesday’s State Department announcement also traced the collective to leftist groups across Europe that posted materials about their attacks on rail and energy infrastructure.
    — Hudson Crozier, The Washington Examiner, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of groups
Noun
  • These girls make mistakes and learn lessons while living in unfair, unequal and unjust societies in need of change.
    — Tara Strauch, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Such groups may include perennial nomads (such as the Roma in Europe), Indigenous peoples in former European colonies, or smaller tribes in societies where tribal membership is socially significant.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of societies
Noun
  • The money comes from foundations and from Tulsa's First Presbyterian Church, located across the street.
    — Scott Horsley, NPR, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Launched in 2022 with an initial $400 million investment, LIV Golf looked to rival the PGA Tour by featuring $250 million in prize purses, with no less of an aim than to shake the foundations of the sport.
    — Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of foundations
Noun
  • However, many trade associations include sole proprietors who don't qualify for an AHP, and some organizations have members in a range of industries.
    — Sarah Agostino, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Investigators allege Awais and his accomplices used their control of the associations to siphon money from accounts.
    — Chelsea Jones, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of associations
Noun
  • And more than 90 organizations, including unions, Black fraternities and sororities and voting rights groups, have signed on as official partners.
    — Tia Mitchell, AJC.com, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Abbatiello allegedly expanded his cocaine sales beyond the fraternity house to other fraternities and students, according to the indictment.
    — Janelle Griffith, PEOPLE, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of fraternities

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institution
institutions
instruct
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Cite this Entry

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

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