What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
anchor
Example
The ship's anchor was lowered to keep it from drifting away. [anchor: noun]
Example
Her faith in God was the anchor that kept her going during tough times. [anchor: noun]
Example
He anchored the evening news for over a decade. [anchored: verb]
pillar
Example
The ancient temple had pillars made of marble. [pillar: noun]
Example
Education is a pillar of society. [pillar: noun]
Example
She is a pillar of the community, always volunteering and helping others. [pillar: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Pillar is more commonly used than anchor in everyday language. Pillar is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while anchor is less common and is primarily used in nautical or media contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between anchor and pillar?
Both anchor and pillar are neutral in terms of formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
