Definition of undergirdnext
as in to sustain
to hold up or serve as a foundation for the theory of evolution undergirds virtually all of modern biology

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of undergird The frontier myth undergirded their policies. Literary Hub, 1 Apr. 2026 In the summer of 2020, massive riots erupted over the murder of George Floyd, undergirded by a powerful social justice movement. Torrey Snow, Baltimore Sun, 25 Mar. 2026 Amid this vast landscape of solutions, no one can hope to find a precise microscopic configuration that undergirds our particular macroscopic world. Quanta Magazine, 23 Mar. 2026 But changing a country, changing an entire regime, because Iran isn't just run by a strong man, there's an entire philosophy, a theocratic philosophy that undergirds the Iranian government. Dana Taylor, USA Today, 12 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for undergird
Recent Examples of Synonyms for undergird
Verb
  • Officers arrived and found the motorcyclist, only identified as a male adult, suffering from injuries sustained in the collision.
    Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 13 Apr. 2026
  • Following that, the letter calls for the development of a 20-year strategy with bipartisan support to ensure Colorado sustains and extends its leadership as the nation’s leading non-coastal technology and innovation hub.
    Aldo Svaldi, Denver Post, 13 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • This is the time to nourish habits that support your focus.
    Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 17 Apr. 2026
  • These small changes reduce waste, limit plastic use, and support a more mindful lifestyle without sacrificing convenience, helping both your home and the environment over time.
    Casey DelBasso, ABC News, 17 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • March 21 – April 19 Your words carry weight today.
    Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Apr. 2026
  • When Raphael died, a hundred torches were carried by painters at his funeral, and he was buried in the rotunda of the Pantheon.
    Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Not to mention, a budding rap career that would have been bolstered by playing for a Bay Area franchise in the heart of the West Coast rap scene.
    Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 18 Apr. 2026
  • Beijing is seeking to bolster trade ties to counter the impact, hosting several European and Asian leaders recently.
    Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 17 Apr. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Undergird.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/undergird. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster