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
The resumption of uninterrupted energy flows is what underpins any sustained stock market recovery, according to investment manager Orbis.
—
Joseph Wilkins, CNBC, 20 Apr. 2026
The business model underpinning kids and family animation is under growing strain, as a post-streaming contraction collides with declining linear viewership and tighter commissioning, a panel at Spain’s Quirino Future Lab session underscored on Wednesday.
—Callum McLennan, Variety, 17 Apr. 2026
In a country without the NEA, NEH and IMLS, hundreds of small local arts groups would likely cease to exist entirely — and with them, the community, education and enlightenment that underpin our increasingly fragile, fractured society.
—Arts Editor, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026
The company has long invested in the technical infrastructure underpinning its feeds, creating a streaming backbone full of redundancies for Thursday Night Football and commissioning two new production trucks—nicknamed Bird and Magic—for its traveling NBA shows.
—Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 15 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for underpin
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Joseph Wilkins, CNBC, 20 Apr. 2026
The business model underpinning kids and family animation is under growing strain, as a post-streaming contraction collides with declining linear viewership and tighter commissioning, a panel at Spain’s Quirino Future Lab session underscored on Wednesday.
—Callum McLennan, Variety, 17 Apr. 2026
In a country without the NEA, NEH and IMLS, hundreds of small local arts groups would likely cease to exist entirely — and with them, the community, education and enlightenment that underpin our increasingly fragile, fractured society.
—Arts Editor, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026
The company has long invested in the technical infrastructure underpinning its feeds, creating a streaming backbone full of redundancies for Thursday Night Football and commissioning two new production trucks—nicknamed Bird and Magic—for its traveling NBA shows.
—Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 15 Apr. 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 Apr. 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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