as in anchors
something or someone to which one looks for support
Mom has been our mainstay in this crisis
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Recent Examples of mainstays
Inbound and homegrown While tourism, hospitality, real estate and health care are mainstays of the tri-county’s economy, the holy grail in South Florida is growth in technology, either through relocations or homegrown development.
—
David Lyons, Sun Sentinel, 9 Feb. 2026
That move was met with rave reviews among the Spurs, even as the team lost a pair of mainstays in the deal in the form of Tre Jones and Zach Collins.
—Jeff McDonald, San Antonio Express-News, 6 Feb. 2026
The renovation aims to revitalize the center as a nonprofit venue and community gathering space that remains a bastion of Black culture in a district that has seen so many of those mainstays disappear.
—Domenica Bongiovanni, IndyStar, 5 Feb. 2026
Meanwhile, Milan mainstays Prada, Diesel, Dolce & Gabbana, Etro, Moschino, and Max Mara will show throughout the week.
—Lucy Maguire, Vogue, 5 Feb. 2026
These spots bring in new advertisers outside of the mainstays like Budweiser and Lay's.
—Lillian Rizzo, CNBC, 4 Feb. 2026
The show will be anchored by Maria Taylor and include NBC football mainstays Tony Dungy, Jason Garrett, Rodney Harrison and Devin McCourty as well as Chris Simms, a former college teammate of Shanahan’s.
—Michael Nowels, Mercury News, 4 Feb. 2026
Whether its popular mainstays like Wingstop and Buffalo Wild Wings or more local favorites like La Figata and TJ’s Burritos, there are more than enough options to feed all your hungry guests for the big game.
—Blaine Callahan, Hartford Courant, 3 Feb. 2026
The mainstays are more solidified in their careers and need less industry backing.
—Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 29 Jan. 2026
David Lyons, Sun Sentinel, 9 Feb. 2026
That move was met with rave reviews among the Spurs, even as the team lost a pair of mainstays in the deal in the form of Tre Jones and Zach Collins.
—Jeff McDonald, San Antonio Express-News, 6 Feb. 2026
The renovation aims to revitalize the center as a nonprofit venue and community gathering space that remains a bastion of Black culture in a district that has seen so many of those mainstays disappear.
—Domenica Bongiovanni, IndyStar, 5 Feb. 2026
Meanwhile, Milan mainstays Prada, Diesel, Dolce & Gabbana, Etro, Moschino, and Max Mara will show throughout the week.
—Lucy Maguire, Vogue, 5 Feb. 2026
These spots bring in new advertisers outside of the mainstays like Budweiser and Lay's.
—Lillian Rizzo, CNBC, 4 Feb. 2026
The show will be anchored by Maria Taylor and include NBC football mainstays Tony Dungy, Jason Garrett, Rodney Harrison and Devin McCourty as well as Chris Simms, a former college teammate of Shanahan’s.
—Michael Nowels, Mercury News, 4 Feb. 2026
Whether its popular mainstays like Wingstop and Buffalo Wild Wings or more local favorites like La Figata and TJ’s Burritos, there are more than enough options to feed all your hungry guests for the big game.
—Blaine Callahan, Hartford Courant, 3 Feb. 2026
The mainstays are more solidified in their careers and need less industry backing.
—Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 29 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mainstays
Noun
-
While excavating the River Wear, archaeologists uncovered more than 800 whetstones — stone tools that were used to sharpen weapons and other tools — as well as 11 stone anchors believed to be linked to river transport.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
5 Feb. 2026
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So what does that mean for metro Des Moines, where companies like Principal Financial, EMC Insurance, Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield and Nationwide Mutual Insurance are anchors of the Iowa capital's downtown?—
Bill Steiden,
Des Moines Register,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Many are Latin American or African immigrants working in the agricultural, tourism or service sectors, backbones of Spain’s booming economy.—
Renata Brito,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Jan. 2026
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In the economy of tomorrow, community colleges and vocational-technical schools—optimized for true lifelong learning with apprenticeship and mentorship programs—will likely be the backbones of public and private education alike.—
Eric Holcomb,
Time,
16 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Roadside spots serve up standbys like barbecue and the national dish of fish and fungi.—
Carley Rojas Avila,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Feb. 2026
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This striking crimson suit is one of the princess’s standbys for significant events.—
Erin Vanderhoof,
Vanity Fair,
16 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Beyond them, the concrete of the 21st century falls away, replaced by creamy pillars and marble paving stretching into the distance, with green hills beyond.—
Maureen O'Hare,
CNN Money,
9 Feb. 2026
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Reducing bureaucracy and streamlining industry fees are key pillars of achieving sustenance and making Nigerian producers competitive.—
Alexander Onukwue,
semafor.com,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mainstays.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mainstays. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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