foundations

NOUN

basis for something physical or mental

Synonyms

STRONGEST

authority base bedrock groundwork infrastructure support

STRONG

ABCs basics bed bottom foot footing ground guts heart justification nitty-gritty nub prop reason root stay substratum substructure understructure

WEAK

bottom line brass tacks nuts and bolts underpinning

Antonyms

STRONG

cowardice exterior exteriority fear outside top

NOUN

established institution

Synonyms

STRONGEST

association charity company corporation endowment establishment institute organization society

STRONG

guild inauguration plantation settlement trusteeship

WEAK

set-up

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

This process is meant to help identify any early issues before foundations are laid and concrete is poured.

From MarketWatch • Jul. 6, 2026

The foundations of quantum mechanics were built by pioneers including Schrödinger and Werner Heisenberg.

From Science Daily • Jul. 5, 2026

It has always emerged with its democratic and economic foundations stronger.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 4, 2026

"This government's been in the process of laying the foundations for a stronger, more resilient, more independent Canadian economy," Carney said earlier this month.

From BBC • Jun. 27, 2026

The clashes over zero were the battles that shook the foundations of philosophy, of science, of mathematics, and of religion.

From "Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea" by Charles Seife