as in sustains
to hold up or serve as a foundation for
the central beliefs that underpin a free society
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Recent Examples of underpins
The critical role underpins the nation’s defense as the ultimate security guarantee, and at least one of the boats is deployed in an unknown location at sea every minute of every day, according to a press release.
—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2025
The major cloud computing service, which underpins much of the web and every day online tools, went offline due to a problem with one of its core database products.
—Kayla Hayempour, NBC news, 20 Oct. 2025
Over the course of a conversation that spanned more than a million words and 300 hours, the bot encouraged Brooks to adopt grandiose beliefs, validated his delusions, and led him to believe the technological infrastructure that underpins the world was in imminent danger.
—Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 19 Oct. 2025
This exclusivity protects the brand’s quality and underpins its global exclusivity.
—Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 19 Oct. 2025
Permafrost - or ground that is frozen year-round - underpins many of these villages and is thawing, leading to rapid erosion and instability.
—NPR, 17 Oct. 2025
Sustainability underpins everything Brazilian mill Vicunha produces.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 14 Oct. 2025
In something like Chocolate Sheet Cake With Brown Butter Frosting, vanilla extract underpins the deep flavors of the cocoa while enhancing the nutty flavor of the frosting.
—Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 Oct. 2025
In the Israeli and Jewish ethos, this is a supreme moral and operational duty that underpins the Israeli fighting spirit and national resilience.
—Ehud Barak, Time, 10 Oct. 2025
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2025
The major cloud computing service, which underpins much of the web and every day online tools, went offline due to a problem with one of its core database products.
—Kayla Hayempour, NBC news, 20 Oct. 2025
Over the course of a conversation that spanned more than a million words and 300 hours, the bot encouraged Brooks to adopt grandiose beliefs, validated his delusions, and led him to believe the technological infrastructure that underpins the world was in imminent danger.
—Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 19 Oct. 2025
This exclusivity protects the brand’s quality and underpins its global exclusivity.
—Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 19 Oct. 2025
Permafrost - or ground that is frozen year-round - underpins many of these villages and is thawing, leading to rapid erosion and instability.
—NPR, 17 Oct. 2025
Sustainability underpins everything Brazilian mill Vicunha produces.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 14 Oct. 2025
In something like Chocolate Sheet Cake With Brown Butter Frosting, vanilla extract underpins the deep flavors of the cocoa while enhancing the nutty flavor of the frosting.
—Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 Oct. 2025
In the Israeli and Jewish ethos, this is a supreme moral and operational duty that underpins the Israeli fighting spirit and national resilience.
—Ehud Barak, Time, 10 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underpins
Verb
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That’s what sustains a culture over the long term.—
Prof. Dr. med. Mazda Farshad,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Oct. 2025
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What sustains us is Julia Roberts and the cast.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Landau understands and supports not just Bruce’s vision but Bruce himself, which is how Nebraska, so bleak and bewitching, eventually emerges into the world.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
24 Oct. 2025
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One where technology quietly supports independence, rather than defines it.—
Matt Emma,
USA Today,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The November 17th already carries considerable weight due to Cena's farewell.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
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The dukedom of York also carries a dark history, prompting speculation that the title itself may be unlucky, Vanity Fair reported.—
Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa,
FOXNews.com,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The purchase by the Santa Clara County Housing Authority bolsters the agency’s mission to preserve affordable homes in the South Bay.—
George Avalos,
Mercury News,
23 Oct. 2025
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The move bolsters its commitment to the region’s audiovisual industry where Cimarrón has already been active in Uruguay, Mexico and Argentina.—
Anna Marie de la Fuente,
Variety,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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There’s a reason why everyone from nurses to marathon runners upholds Hoka as the gold standard in comfy walking shoes.—
Olivia Young,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Oct. 2025
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The data show that 61% of women identify as feminist and are suspicious of any institution that upholds traditional social norms, according to the Survey Center on American Life.—
Mitch Picasso,
FOXNews.com,
4 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Underpins.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underpins. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.
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