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
Much of the global AI industry is dominated by a few American corporations, whose proprietary frontier models and computing infrastructure underpin a significant share of global AI development.
—
Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 23 Feb. 2026
Such trickery to assign great value to low-worth materials also underpins the surprise ending for The Girl Who Cried Pearls, which follows a poor boy falling in love with a girl overwhelmed by sorrow to the point her tears turn into pearls.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 23 Feb. 2026
Their subsequent transformation was sudden and acute, underpinned by 11 straight wins across all competitions before the turn of the year.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 22 Feb. 2026
Both have little respect for long-standing customs and traditions that underpin democratic institutions.
—Helen Regan, CNN Money, 21 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for underpin
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Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 23 Feb. 2026
Such trickery to assign great value to low-worth materials also underpins the surprise ending for The Girl Who Cried Pearls, which follows a poor boy falling in love with a girl overwhelmed by sorrow to the point her tears turn into pearls.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 23 Feb. 2026
Their subsequent transformation was sudden and acute, underpinned by 11 straight wins across all competitions before the turn of the year.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 22 Feb. 2026
Both have little respect for long-standing customs and traditions that underpin democratic institutions.
—Helen Regan, CNN Money, 21 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for underpin
Cite this Entry
“Underpin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underpin. Accessed 24 Feb. 2026.
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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