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 That same pivot underpins a wider incubator-style model, from the BFC Mini MBA and business resilience programs to experiments in unlocking subsidized studio space via the patron network. — Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 29 July 2026 Open-source software underpins internet infrastructure and is incorporated into much of the world’s modern technology, including products offered by major tech companies such as Microsoft. — Renee Dudley, ProPublica, 29 July 2026 Located in China’s Yangtze Delta region that underpins much of the country’s economic growth, the city might not be as well-known as Beijing or Shanghai. — Yue Wang, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026 This inference takeover underpins AMD’s latest hardware push. — Sebastian Herrera, Fortune, 23 July 2026 That principle — sacrificing to help those not doing so well — still underpins the region’s business model. — Nicholas D. Kristof, Mercury News, 14 July 2026 What is the philosophy that underpins Elon Musk’s varied ventures, from Tesla to SpaceX to DOGE? — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 13 July 2026 That underpins Pennington’s confidence that her customers will still value human financial advisers even as technology becomes more sophisticated at anticipating their needs. — Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 10 July 2026 The listing also comes as investors assess whether SK Hynix can maintain its lead in the fast-growing HBM market that underpins AI accelerators. — Lee Ying Shan,jenny Lee, CNBC, 10 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underpins
  1. sustains
  2. supports
  3. carries
  4. bolsters
  5. upholds
Verb
  • Certainly, if a position sustains damage, Tobin would never block off the idea of adding, and that’s in play every year.
    — Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 27 July 2026
  • The pacing sometimes goes slack, but even when the narrative starts wandering, Simple Town boasts a goofy magnetism that sustains the movie astonishingly well.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 21 July 2026
Definition of sustains
Verb
  • Earlier this week, KDKA-TV spoke to a business owner who supports the petition.
    — Jessica Riley, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026
  • The schedule also includes an event with the charity SportsAid, which supports promising young athletes.
    — Diego Parrado, Vanity Fair, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of supports
Verb
  • The Cherry Creek Arch Bridge carries State Highway 83 through the canyon, linking communities from Parker to Colorado Springs.
    — Karen Leigh, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Felix Jimenez, 38, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, a charge that carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison, but can be up to 40 years, according to federal authorities.
    — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of carries
Verb
  • Despite losing in the 5th place match, Atlanta bolsters its playoff creds by jumping over several teams to move up from 14th place.
    — Todd Boss, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
  • Each round pays a hosting fee that bolsters not only the F1 organization’s revenues, but also the prize money that goes to teams at the end of each year.
    — Luke Smith, New York Times, 26 July 2026
Definition of bolsters
Verb
  • If the District Court upholds the denial, your application is considered exhausted.
    — Brian Sloan, CNBC, 21 July 2026
  • For many, this new-build option upholds preferential aesthetics while satisfying practical needs and eliminating restoration headaches.
    — Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 20 July 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 4 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of underpins for Spanish Speakers

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