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
Synonyms
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
The cases were underpinned by false accusations, Lawyer suggested.
—
Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Apr. 2024
The struggles threaten to weaken the $1.6 trillion mailing and package industries that underpin the Postal Service and its reach to more than 160 million addresses each day.
—Jacob Bogage, Washington Post, 15 Apr. 2024
That insight underpins modern cellular and wireless communications.
—Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 15 Apr. 2024
Such inquisitiveness underpins a creative process that relentlessly centers the human experience.
—Rachel Gallaher, Robb Report, 14 Apr. 2024
At the same time, some investors have been betting that inflation may stick higher in the long run, underpinning gold’s run.
—Yvonne Yue Li, Fortune, 14 Apr. 2024
Pollinators underpin our ecosystems and food supply, but Britain’s flying insect population has declined by as much as 60 percent in the past 20 years.
—Frankie Adkins, WIRED, 10 Apr. 2024
The ancient Hindu festival eschews the religious, societal, caste and political divisions that underpin India’s often sectarian society.
—Hari Kumar, New York Times, 22 Mar. 2024
Expectations for a $25,000 vehicle have underpinned Wall Street analysts’ more modest, but still ambitious, forecasts for Tesla sales.
—Hyunjoo Jin, USA TODAY, 5 Apr. 2024
Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Apr. 2024
The struggles threaten to weaken the $1.6 trillion mailing and package industries that underpin the Postal Service and its reach to more than 160 million addresses each day.
—Jacob Bogage, Washington Post, 15 Apr. 2024
That insight underpins modern cellular and wireless communications.
—Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 15 Apr. 2024
Such inquisitiveness underpins a creative process that relentlessly centers the human experience.
—Rachel Gallaher, Robb Report, 14 Apr. 2024
At the same time, some investors have been betting that inflation may stick higher in the long run, underpinning gold’s run.
—Yvonne Yue Li, Fortune, 14 Apr. 2024
Pollinators underpin our ecosystems and food supply, but Britain’s flying insect population has declined by as much as 60 percent in the past 20 years.
—Frankie Adkins, WIRED, 10 Apr. 2024
The ancient Hindu festival eschews the religious, societal, caste and political divisions that underpin India’s often sectarian society.
—Hari Kumar, New York Times, 22 Mar. 2024
Expectations for a $25,000 vehicle have underpinned Wall Street analysts’ more modest, but still ambitious, forecasts for Tesla sales.
—Hyunjoo Jin, USA TODAY, 5 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'underpin.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near underpin
Cite this Entry
“Underpin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underpin. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
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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