underwrite

un·der·write

verb \ˈən-də(r)-ˌrīt, ˌən-də(r)-ˈ\

un·der·wrote\-ˌrōt, -ˈrōt\un·der·writ·ten\-ˌri-t^ən, -ˈri-t^ən\un·der·writ·ing\-ˌrī-tiŋ, -ˈrī-\

Definition of UNDERWRITE

transitive verb

1

: to write under or at the end of something else

2

: to set one's name to (an insurance policy) for the purpose of thereby becoming answerable for a designated loss or damage on consideration of receiving a premium percent : insure on life or property; also : to assume liability for (a sum or risk) as an insurer

3

: to subscribe to : agree to

4

a : to agree to purchase (as security issue) usually on a fixed date at a fixed price with a view to public distribution

b : to guarantee financial support of <underwrite a project>

intransitive verb

: to work as an underwriter

Examples of UNDERWRITE

1. <a university willing to underwrite an archaeological expedition>

First Known Use of UNDERWRITE

14th century

Related to UNDERWRITE

Synonyms

bankroll, capitalize, endow, fund, stake, subsidize, finance

Antonyms

defund

Related Words

grubstake; cofinance, refinance; advocate, aid, back, champion, endorse (also indorse), patronize, sponsor, support; maintain, nourish, provide (for); clear, defray, discharge, foot, liquidate, pay, pay off, pay up, quit, recompense, settle, spring (for), stand; refund

Rhymes with UNDERWRITE

acolyte, aconite, aerolite, Ammonite, Amorite, amosite, anchorite, andesite, anthracite, antiwhite, apartheid, appetite, arsenite, azurite, Bakelite, bedlamite, Benthamite, biotite, bipartite, black-and-white, blatherskite, bleacherite, bring to light, Brooklynite, bryophyte, calamite, Canaanite, candlelight, Carmelite, Castroite, catamite, cellulite, cenobite, chalcocite, chestnut blight, Chinese white, columbite, coprolite, copyright, cryolite, crystallite, disinvite, disunite, divine right, dolerite, dolomite, dynamite, ebonite, epiphyte, eremite, erudite, expedite, extradite, featherlight, fight-or-flight, fly-by-night, gelignite, geophyte, gesundheit, gigabyte, Gilsonite, Hashemite, hematite, hemocyte, hessonite, Hitlerite, Houstonite, hug-me-tight, Hutterite, hyalite, Ibsenite, impolite, inner light, Ishmaelite, Isle of Wight, Israelite, Jacobite, Jerseyite, Josephite, kilobyte, kimberlite, laborite, lazulite, leading light, Leavisite, Leninite, leukocyte, lily-white, localite, lymphocyte, macrophyte, magnetite, malachite, manganite, Marcionite, Masonite, megabyte, Mennonite, Minorite, Moabite, Mr. Right, muscovite, Muscovite, Nazirite, neophyte, oocyte, open sight, out-of-sight, overbite, overflight, overnight, oversight, overwrite, parasite, patent right, perovskite, phagocyte, pilot light, plebiscite, proselyte, Puseyite, pyrrhotite, recondite, reunite, rhyolite, running light, Saint Paulite, saprolite, satellite, Scottish rite, second sight, see the light, self-ignite, serve one right, shergottite, socialite, sodalite, sodomite, spider mite, Stagirite, Sydneyite, taconite, tanzanite, terabyte, time-of-flight, traffic light, transfinite, transvestite, tripartite, troglodyte, Trotskyite, Ulsterite, ultralight, urbanite, vigil light, Wahhabite, water right, water sprite, watertight, Wycliffite, xerophyte, yesternight, zoophyte