underpins

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 There is a science of habit development that underpins development. Mary Crossan, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026 Perhaps his long, not-so-scenic route to the national team underpins the sense that trusting him to be a major performer has not come easily to coach Julian Nagelsmann. Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 21 June 2026 Leonardo was granted the patent for the technology that underpins SignalTrace two years ago. Adam Ismail, The Drive, 17 June 2026 The universe built for the manga – its characters, factions, and lore – also underpins Azuki TCG, the company’s trading card game, which topped $1 million in direct-to-player presales before its retail release. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 17 June 2026 The company hopes those benchmarks can serve as the foundation for a futures market, much as West Texas Intermediate crude oil underpins energy derivatives. Yun Li, CNBC, 16 June 2026 At the heart of this tradition sits maqam, the melodic system that underpins Arabic classical music. Daniel Scheffler, SPIN, 15 June 2026 The three-nation agreement underpins $2 trillion in annual trade and has, over the years, knitted several economic sectors across the borders together. Bloomberg, Oc Register, 10 June 2026 Audi Ur-Quattro (1980) The first Audi Quattro was wildly different to anything that had come before, using the quattro system that still underpins current Audis, including the Nuvolari, and its design clearly communicated that. Ben Oliver, Robb Report, 8 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underpins
Verb
  • That requires attacking the system that sustains Russian forces—not just the armies on the front lines.
    David A. Deptula, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
  • What starts as a series that aims to subvert the heist genre at every turn – amped with thrilling life-or-death stakes, family dynamics, and explosive action – gives birth to an exploration of what drives us, sustains us, and ultimately destroys us.
    Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 30 June 2026
Verb
  • In turn, sleep quality, which physical conditioning directly supports, governs how effectively a leader's prefrontal cortex manages complex trade-offs and scenarios under pressure.
    Julian Hayes II, Forbes.com, 24 June 2026
  • The decision supports renewal of the project’s Source Materials License for another 20 years, leaving a safety evaluation as the final major review before the license can move forward.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 24 June 2026
Verb
  • While the list carries few immediate legal repercussions, it’s widely considered a red flag to investors that can precede more punitive trade restrictions.
    Angela Cullen, Fortune, 27 June 2026
  • Each of the offenses carries a maximum of 20 years in prison.
    Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 27 June 2026
Verb
  • This 31% Prime Day discount only bolsters that recommendation.
    Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 26 June 2026
  • Recent news also bolsters your relevance and placement in AI search results, which is important since half of B2B buyers start their purchasing journey in an AI chatbot.
    Heather Kelly, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026
Verb
  • The ruling upholds laws in 30 states that allow at least some ballots to arrive after Election Day, including ballots from military voters and Americans who live overseas.
    Alison Durkee, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
  • The ruling upholds Illinois law, which allows mail-in ballots postmarked — or personally attested to — by Election Day to be counted up to two weeks afterward.
    Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune, 29 June 2026

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“Underpins.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underpins. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.

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