Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of noun linchpin

2 senses of linchpin

Sense 1
anchor, mainstay, keystone, backbone, linchpin, lynchpin -- (a central cohesive source of support and stability; "faith is his anchor"; "the keystone of campaign reform was the ban on soft money"; "he is the linchpin of this firm")
       => support -- (something providing immaterial assistance to a person or cause or interest; "the policy found little public support"; "his faith was all the support he needed"; "the team enjoyed the support of their fans")

Sense 2
linchpin, lynchpin -- (pin inserted through an axletree to hold a wheel on)
       => pin -- (a small slender (often pointed) piece of wood or metal used to support or fasten or attach things)