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
Nations that can reliably power the infrastructure underpinning advanced technologies will hold structural advantages in the 21st century.
—
Güney Yıldız, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
Legal challenges to constitutional doctrines underpinning the modern American administrative state wend their way through increasingly sympathetic courts, promising sweeping changes to the ways our most important institutions act.
—Walter Russell Mead, The Atlantic, 24 Jan. 2026
Unlike many essential services that underpin economic development, water is financed through a mix of public budgets, development finance, philanthropy, and local utilities.
—Kara Hurst, Time, 23 Jan. 2026
Given the complication — and the fact that the woman’s testimony underpins the case — prosecutors want the court to compel her to appear for Tran’s trial in early March.
—Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for underpin
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Güney Yıldız, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
Legal challenges to constitutional doctrines underpinning the modern American administrative state wend their way through increasingly sympathetic courts, promising sweeping changes to the ways our most important institutions act.
—Walter Russell Mead, The Atlantic, 24 Jan. 2026
Unlike many essential services that underpin economic development, water is financed through a mix of public budgets, development finance, philanthropy, and local utilities.
—Kara Hurst, Time, 23 Jan. 2026
Given the complication — and the fact that the woman’s testimony underpins the case — prosecutors want the court to compel her to appear for Tran’s trial in early March.
—Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 22 Jan. 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 28 Jan. 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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