Thesaurus results for MAINSTAY

mainstay

noun

ˈmān-ˌstā

Definition of mainstay

as in anchor

something or someone to which one looks for support Mom has been our mainstay in this crisis

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 mainstay Enter veteran character actor Lin Shaye, whose psychic Elise has been a series mainstay and a reliable provider of expository dialogue, despite the fact that her character died at the end of the 2011 original. — Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026 While the haunting serial murders are the mainstay within the show, Kay also smartly addresses resentments in the police department between patrol cops and detectives and even officers who turn on each other. — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 20 Aug. 2026 For her part, Marnik did leave the faith that was once the mainstay of her life. — Felice J. Freyer, STAT, 19 Aug. 2026 While a few mainstays are still around like Alan Shearer and Micah Richards, with Wayne Rooney and Joe Hart, this latest announcement sees a continuation of a freshening up of its coverage. — Tim Spiers, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for mainstay

Recent Examples of Synonyms for mainstay

Noun

Privacy seekers can cast their anchor further afield at Coral Caye, Turtle Inn’s private island that’s a 20-minute boat ride away, with wooden cottages and a brimming reef.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Sep. 2026
Creating space for contrary evidence before authority anchors the room can widen what the group considers.

— Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of anchor

Noun

The tablet combines bictegravir, the backbone of Gilead’s blockbuster HIV pill Biktarvy, with lenacapavir, a first-in-class capsid inhibitor that has become a centerpiece of the company’s long-term strategy for HIV treatment and prevention.

— Justina Lee, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Combine drought with fire and the backbone of the Everglades — its marshy peat soil — also becomes more vulnerable.

— Jenny Staletovich, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of backbone

Noun

Volkswagen’s prosperity was recently based on two pillars – huge profits earned in China, and the highly successful German base where its engineers led the world for decades in making and exporting advanced sedans and SUVs.

— Neil Winton, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Narrower set of engines Next week's nonfarm payrolls report could also give some reassurance on how the economy is doing, which remains robust but with weakening pillars of support.

— Sarah Min, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of pillar

Noun

Flight standby lets passengers try to take an earlier flight when an unassigned seat becomes available.

— Iona Brannon, Travel + Leisure, 21 Aug. 2026
But anyone returning to their old lunchtime standbys is likely to find a different kind of restaurant waiting for them — one that seemingly highlights everything on the menu except traditional salads.

— Renée Onque, CNBC, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of standby

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mains

mainstay

mainstays

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“Mainstay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mainstay. Accessed 3 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of mainstay

noun

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