as in cornerstones
an immaterial thing upon which something else rests
a sense of history is the keystone to the city's draw as a tourist destination
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Recent Examples of keystones
The theory of evolution, one of the keystones of modern biological theory, is based on the idea that living things on Earth can be traced back to other preexisting types and that the differences are due to modifications that occurred over successive generations.
—
Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
Just trying to get to the keystones in this instance.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
And how exactly does that fit into the equation of the keystones of our survival?
—Outside Online, 12 Nov. 2025
Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
Just trying to get to the keystones in this instance.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
And how exactly does that fit into the equation of the keystones of our survival?
—Outside Online, 12 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for keystones
Noun
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Plan a stop in bustling Cebu City to visit the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebu and Magellan’s Cross Pavilion—cultural cornerstones that paved the way to the propagation of Christianity as the country’s most dominant religion.—
Condé Nast Traveler,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Mar. 2026
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Once visited by emperors seeking clarity and samurai tending to battle wounds, these onsen remain cornerstones of Japanese culture.—
Kelsey Eisen,
Robb Report,
19 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The Associated Press’ climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 Apr. 2026
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And there’s been —the foundations are there, and everybody goes to Washington.—
Alex Crippen,
CNBC,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Better yet, those bedrocks are as plentiful as ever.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Nov. 2025
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The bedrocks of healthy behavior are your biggest assets for staying disease-free.—
Matt Fuchs,
Time,
24 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Keystones.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/keystones. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
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