underpin

un·der·pin | \ ˌən-dər-ˈpin

How to pronounce underpin (audio)

\

underpinned; underpinning; underpins

Definition of underpin

transitive verb

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

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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 Get our daily newsletter This single-market policy has underpinned Europe’s continued, if somewhat diminishing, importance to the global economy. — The Economist, "The economic policy at the heart of Europe is creaking," 12 Sep. 2019 Iris Pang, an economist at ING Bank NV in Hong Kong, said the problems could also affect individual investors, since loans made by trust companies often underpinned wealth-management products. — WSJ, "Strains Emerge in China’s $3 Trillion Financing Market," 11 July 2019 Mungga smells of grain, yeast, and malt underpinned with grass and citrus zest. — Roshni Bajaj Sanghvi, National Geographic, "Have a beer at one of Europe's highest breweries," 19 June 2019 The committee could also petition a federal judge to release protected grand jury materials gathered in the probe, which underpin many of the key sections that Justice Department officials redacted from Mueller's report. — Mike Debonis, Anchorage Daily News, "House authorizes going to court to force attorney general and former Trump counsel to comply with subpoenas," 11 June 2019 The committee could also petition a federal judge to release protected grand jury materials gathered in the probe, which underpin many of the key sections that Justice Department officials redacted from Mueller’s report. — The Washington Post, The Mercury News, "House votes to enforce McGahn, Barr subpoenas," 11 June 2019 This technology is the neural network, which underpins today’s most advanced artificial intelligence systems. — Quanta Magazine, "Foundations Built for a General Theory of Neural Networks," 31 Jan. 2019 In this original formulation, solidarity is a common identity underpinned by collective indebtedness and obligation, shared responsibility and shared risk, a state of interdependence and mutual aid. — Astra Taylor, The New Republic, "One for All," 26 Aug. 2019 Libra is the technology that underpins the network. — Nick Statt, The Verge, "Facebook’s Calibra is a secret weapon for monetizing its new cryptocurrency," 18 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'underpin.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

26 Oct 2019

Time Traveler for underpin

The first known use of underpin was in 1522

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