underpin
verb
un·der·pin
ˌən-dər-ˈpin 
underpinned; underpinning; underpins
1
: support, substantiate
underpin a thesis with evidence
2
: to form part of, strengthen, or replace the foundation of
underpin a structure
underpin a sagging building
Examples of underpin in a Sentence
a wall underpinned by metal beams
the central beliefs that underpin a free society
Recent Examples on the Web
Copy trading, the concept underpinning Dub, allows everyday investors to automatically replicate the trades of more skilled market participants in real time.
—
Nino Paoli, Fortune, 18 Dec. 2025
The administration's domestic policy plan this year targeted clean energy subsidies that have underpinned thousands of Kentucky jobs and billions of dollars in economic development projects.
—Olivia Evans, Louisville Courier Journal, 16 Dec. 2025
To truly challenge the dollar, however, China would have to make the renminbi fully convertible and dismantle the capital controls that underpin its system of financial repression.
—Zongyuan Zoe Liu, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
Even more than Nix's development, what has underpinned Denver's two-year turnaround is its defense under coordinator Vance Joseph — the same coordinator, yes, who was in charge during its 2023 nadir.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 16 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for underpin
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Nino Paoli, Fortune, 18 Dec. 2025
The administration's domestic policy plan this year targeted clean energy subsidies that have underpinned thousands of Kentucky jobs and billions of dollars in economic development projects.
—Olivia Evans, Louisville Courier Journal, 16 Dec. 2025
To truly challenge the dollar, however, China would have to make the renminbi fully convertible and dismantle the capital controls that underpin its system of financial repression.
—Zongyuan Zoe Liu, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
Even more than Nix's development, what has underpinned Denver's two-year turnaround is its defense under coordinator Vance Joseph — the same coordinator, yes, who was in charge during its 2023 nadir.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 16 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for underpin
Cite this Entry
“Underpin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underpin. Accessed 20 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
underpin
verb
un·der·pin
-ˈpin
1
: to give support to
underpin an argument with evidence
2
: to form part of, strengthen, or replace the foundation of
underpin a structure
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