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underpins

verb

present tense third-person singular of underpin
as in sustains
to hold up or serve as a foundation for the central beliefs that underpin a free society

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 underpins Access to exceptional roughs underpins the entire collection. — Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 17 Sep. 2026 It's based on the company's MQB platform, which underpins the T-Cross subcompact SUV and the Polo hatchback. — Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 26 Aug. 2026 Bouaddi’s ability to dribble calmly through pressure underpins a more general swagger to his game. — David Ornstein, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026 Those who approach privacy as a strategic basis rather than an afterthought are the greatest enterprises and communities that capitalize on AI’s transformational promise while maintaining the digital trust that underpins modern life. — Chuck Brooks, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026 Known as Eurasianism, this conviction in the fundamental difference between Russia and the West at least partly underpins the Kremlin’s ruling ideology today. — Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026 Samsung achieved this seamless look by using an ultra-thin titanium alloy layer that underpins the flexible screen. — Kimberly Gedeon, PC Magazine, 16 Aug. 2026 The technology now underpins generations of high-performance processors. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 11 Aug. 2026 Industrial capacity increasingly underpins supply chain resilience, defense readiness and national competitiveness. — Ariyan Kabir, Fortune, 8 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underpins
  1. sustains
  2. supports
  3. carries
  4. bolsters
  5. upholds
Verb
  • The Ellis-Beauregard Foundation provides resources and support for artists, engages with the community, and sustains the legacy of its founding artists, Joan Beauregard and David Ellis.
    — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Supported by Waugh’s muscular direction, Wilson and Ritchson work well together in a chase film whose thinly sketched premise barely sustains its wall-to-wall action sequences.
    — Todd Gilchrist, Variety, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of sustains
Verb
  • The system supports line-of-sight and beyond-line-of-sight communications.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Additionally, Lycra® VintageFX fiber supports more durable denim and reduces the chance of seam slippage, in which stress causes fabrics to gap where they are sewn together.
    — Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of supports
Verb
  • Until Monday night, anyway, when the Chiefs blasted Denver 31-10 behind Walker’s 173 yards on 23 carries — including a 60-yard touchdown run on a bold fourth-and-1 that in itself illustrated the abiding evolution of Reid.
    — Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 19 Sep. 2026
  • G’yrell Smith was the focal point, tallying 156 yards and 3 TDs in the first two quarters en route to 175 yards on 16 carries in the contest.
    — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of carries
Verb
  • In the end, however, Missouri appears poised to use in November a map lawmakers passed in 2022, an extraordinary development that bolsters Cleaver’s chances of reelection and strikes a blow to Trump.
    — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Their arrival in the Swiss festival’s gala program bolsters its position as an awards season stop-off.
    — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of bolsters
Verb
  • In February, President Pamela Whitten and the board of trustees supported and adopted the Chicago Principles, a set of guidelines regarding how the university upholds its free speech environment.
    — Cate Charron, IndyStar, 9 Sep. 2026
  • The letter was also sent to Harry and Meghan’s team and upholds Queen Elizabeth’s wishes when Harry and Meghan stepped back from their royal roles in 2020.
    — Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of upholds

Browse Nearby Words

underpinnings
underpins
underplay
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Cite this Entry

“Underpins.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underpins. Accessed 25 Sep. 2026.

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