underpin

verb

un·​der·​pin ˌən-dər-ˈpin 

underpinned; underpinning; underpins

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

Synonyms of underpin

• sustain
• carry
• support
• bolster

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 medical methodology underpinning everything here was developed by Dr Franz Xaver Mayr, a 19th-century Austrian physician who became convinced that the health of the digestive system was the key to overall wellbeing. — Jamie Timson, TheWeek, 24 July 2026

Several structural factors underpin the industry’s optimism about future growth. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 24 July 2026

The ruling freezes public hearings and witness subpoenas until a full judicial review of the report underpinning the inquiry. — Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 24 July 2026

This inference takeover underpins AMD’s latest hardware push. — Sebastian Herrera, Fortune, 23 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1522, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for underpin

• aneurin
• crystallin
• eosin
• mandolin
• porphyrin
• superfine
• vietminh
• violin
• akin
• auxin
• buckskin
• chagrin

Kids 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