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 league says its efforts are underpinned by performance testing.
—
Eric Jackson, Sportico.com, 17 Aug. 2025
That compares to the less frequent, but more reliable, American Community Survey, which is underpinned by interviews with 2 million households.
—Lauren Villagran, USA Today, 13 Aug. 2025
The stock is up almost 150% this year, a rally underpinned by the company’s growing use of artificial intelligence, business ties to the US government and most recently, a stellarearnings report.
—Carmen Reinicke, Fortune, 10 Aug. 2025
Its inspection tool is a narrator (Michael Chernus) who provides in-the-moment thoughts underpinning the words of Maggie (Quincy Tyler Bernstine), a middle-aged Midwesterner trying to make sense of her husband’s sudden death.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 8 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for underpin
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Eric Jackson, Sportico.com, 17 Aug. 2025
That compares to the less frequent, but more reliable, American Community Survey, which is underpinned by interviews with 2 million households.
—Lauren Villagran, USA Today, 13 Aug. 2025
The stock is up almost 150% this year, a rally underpinned by the company’s growing use of artificial intelligence, business ties to the US government and most recently, a stellarearnings report.
—Carmen Reinicke, Fortune, 10 Aug. 2025
Its inspection tool is a narrator (Michael Chernus) who provides in-the-moment thoughts underpinning the words of Maggie (Quincy Tyler Bernstine), a middle-aged Midwesterner trying to make sense of her husband’s sudden death.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 8 Aug. 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 20 Aug. 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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