Thesaurus results for UNDER-GIRD

undergird

verb

ˌən-dər-ˈgərd

Definition of undergird

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 film’s observational intensity yields a form of symbolic realism that highlights both the action and its import—both the drama and the ideas and systems that undergird it. — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 19 Aug. 2026 This week, Ars hosted a live discussion with Ross Scott about the Stop Killing Games movement and its ongoing efforts to ensure that games remain playable even after the original publisher shuts down the online servers undergirding them. — Kyle Orland, ArsTechnica, 14 Aug. 2026 The gain helps cement Microsoft’s Azure as a leading cloud giant behind Amazon Web Services, and as one of the most prominent providers of the infrastructure undergirding the AI era. — Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 29 July 2026 Beyond the commercial aspect, the assumptions undergirding death positivity have begun to feel nearly as outdated as putting lipstick on a corpse. — John Semley, Harpers Magazine, 28 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for undergird

Recent Examples of Synonyms for undergird

Verb

Go Green tours allow passengers to learn the ways local communities and industries endeavor to conserve, sustain, and elevate their environments.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Sep. 2026
Over time, that consistency becomes trust—and trust is what sustains long-term client relationships.

— Steven Boydstun, Forbes.com, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of sustain

Verb

Singer-songwriter Aaron Rowe and Danish band Lukas Graham, who had been expected to support Sheeran on upcoming North American dates, both withdrew from the tour.

— Anna Tingley, Variety, 20 Sep. 2026
This November, Broward voters will decide whether to renew the one-mill property tax referendum that supports school safety, mental health services and employee compensation.

— Roberto Fernandez III, Sun Sentinel, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of support

Verb

If the team succeeds, the result could transform a technology normally associated with large laboratory instruments into a compact quantum sensor that can be carried where the threat actually is.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 23 Sep. 2026
Solomon Baggett, James Lee, Ezell Jolly and Timothy Carter all took carries with Clay out of the game.

— Michael Harley, Arkansas Online, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of carry

Verb

Her words bolstered Matthews argument, casting doubt on whether the path had in fact been used by the public on a continuous basis sufficient to establish a right-of-way.

— Stefania Conrieri, Vanity Fair, 21 Sep. 2026
And there is plenty in contemporary life to bolster Sussman’s case.

— Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of bolster

Browse Nearby Words

undergarments

undergird

undergirded

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Undergird.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/undergird. Accessed 24 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of undergird

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

pundit

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes