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
Additional increases in the quantity and quality of weapons sent to Ukraine would underpin that message and would have a better chance than anything else of persuading Putin to replace fake negotiations with the real thing.
—
The Editors, National Review, 11 July 2025
At Apple, Pang had been running a roughly 100-person team responsible for the company’s large language models, which underpin Apple Intelligence and other AI features on the company’s devices.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 8 July 2025
The platform underpinning the vehicles, however, is new ― built by GM and former engineers that integrates technology of its advanced driver assist system, Super Cruise.
—Jackie Charniga, Freep.com, 8 July 2025
Too often, companies invest in new platforms without first aligning leadership around a shared vision or redefining the processes that underpin supply chain management.
—Jim Bureau, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for underpin
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The Editors, National Review, 11 July 2025
At Apple, Pang had been running a roughly 100-person team responsible for the company’s large language models, which underpin Apple Intelligence and other AI features on the company’s devices.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 8 July 2025
The platform underpinning the vehicles, however, is new ― built by GM and former engineers that integrates technology of its advanced driver assist system, Super Cruise.
—Jackie Charniga, Freep.com, 8 July 2025
Too often, companies invest in new platforms without first aligning leadership around a shared vision or redefining the processes that underpin supply chain management.
—Jim Bureau, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for underpin
Cite this Entry
“Underpin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underpin. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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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