underpin

un·der·pin

verb \-ˈpin\

Definition of UNDERPIN

transitive verb

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

1. a wall underpinned by metal beams
2. <the central beliefs that underpin a free society>

First Known Use of UNDERPIN

1522

Related to UNDERPIN

Synonyms: bear, bolster, brace, buttress, carry, prop (up), shore (up), stay, sustain, undergird, support, uphold

Related Words: steady, truss, underlie

[+]more[-]hide

Rhymes with UNDERPIN

bathtub gin, bobby pin, born-again, candlepin, catechin, come again, cotter pin, cotton gin, deadly sin, figure in, firing pin, Ho Chi Minh, listen in, listener-in, Lohengrin, loony bin, lying-in, mandolin, maximin, Mickey Finn, mortal sin, motor inn, ob-gyn, onionskin, palanquin, paper-thin, pelvic fin, rejoice in, rolling pin, rooming-in, safety pin, set foot in, thick and thin, Tianjin, underspin, Vietminh, violin, whipper-in