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 war in the Middle East threatens to upend the economic assumptions underpinning South Africa’s budget, the finance minister has warned, reflecting unease over the way a growing number of external shocks undermine plans to reinvigorate Africa’s largest economy.
—
Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 9 Mar. 2026
The Gulf produces about a third of the world’s crude exports and energy revenues underpin national economies.
—Annika Hammerschlag, Fortune, 8 Mar. 2026
The gulf produces about a third of the world’s crude exports, and energy revenues underpin national economies.
—Annika Hammerschlag, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2026
But strategic infrastructure – such as the access to space that underpins military operations, communications and critical national systems – is not a normal consumer market.
—Svetla Ben-Itzhak, Space.com, 8 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for underpin
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Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 9 Mar. 2026
The Gulf produces about a third of the world’s crude exports and energy revenues underpin national economies.
—Annika Hammerschlag, Fortune, 8 Mar. 2026
The gulf produces about a third of the world’s crude exports, and energy revenues underpin national economies.
—Annika Hammerschlag, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2026
But strategic infrastructure – such as the access to space that underpins military operations, communications and critical national systems – is not a normal consumer market.
—Svetla Ben-Itzhak, Space.com, 8 Mar. 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 14 Mar. 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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