as in sustained
to hold up or serve as a foundation for
the theory of evolution undergirds virtually all of modern biology
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Recent Examples of undergirded
The frontier myth undergirded their policies.
—
Literary Hub, 1 Apr. 2026
In the summer of 2020, massive riots erupted over the murder of George Floyd, undergirded by a powerful social justice movement.
—Torrey Snow, Baltimore Sun, 25 Mar. 2026
Hungarian Conceptual artist Dóra Maurer, whose fascination with movement and change undergirded a diverse practice marked by bright hues, simple shapes, and uninhibited experimentation, died on February 14.
—News Desk, Artforum, 22 Feb. 2026
Her wacky asides, undergirded by a subtle poignancy, both gave Guffman a zany edge and helped transform the mockumentary genre itself.
—Paula Mejía, The Atlantic, 4 Feb. 2026
Yet his empire of quiet is undergirded by unease.
—Alex Ross, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2026
This includes the inherently exploitative nature of apparel production that is undergirded by unequal power dynamics between the global North and the global South.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 15 Dec. 2025
Mamdani sailed to victory in the New York City mayor’s race, first in the primary, then in the general election, on a platform of affordability undergirded by good old-fashioned class warfare.
—Abby Phillip, Time, 4 Dec. 2025
Some might say the new Aurora Regional Navigation Campus that opened recently in a former 255-room hotel is undergirded by one of humanity’s seven deadly sins — envy.
—John Aguilar, Denver Post, 28 Nov. 2025
Literary Hub, 1 Apr. 2026
In the summer of 2020, massive riots erupted over the murder of George Floyd, undergirded by a powerful social justice movement.
—Torrey Snow, Baltimore Sun, 25 Mar. 2026
Hungarian Conceptual artist Dóra Maurer, whose fascination with movement and change undergirded a diverse practice marked by bright hues, simple shapes, and uninhibited experimentation, died on February 14.
—News Desk, Artforum, 22 Feb. 2026
Her wacky asides, undergirded by a subtle poignancy, both gave Guffman a zany edge and helped transform the mockumentary genre itself.
—Paula Mejía, The Atlantic, 4 Feb. 2026
Yet his empire of quiet is undergirded by unease.
—Alex Ross, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2026
This includes the inherently exploitative nature of apparel production that is undergirded by unequal power dynamics between the global North and the global South.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 15 Dec. 2025
Mamdani sailed to victory in the New York City mayor’s race, first in the primary, then in the general election, on a platform of affordability undergirded by good old-fashioned class warfare.
—Abby Phillip, Time, 4 Dec. 2025
Some might say the new Aurora Regional Navigation Campus that opened recently in a former 255-room hotel is undergirded by one of humanity’s seven deadly sins — envy.
—John Aguilar, Denver Post, 28 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for undergirded
Verb
-
No one was injured, but some University of Kansas students have been given temporary housing accommodations after Stephenson Scholarship Hall sustained major storm damage early Monday morning, KU confirmed.—
Matthew Kelly
April 29,
Kansas City Star,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The project intends to show that a fusion reaction can be sustained to produce a net gain in energy.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
For now, consumers have been bolstered by healthy tax refunds, which were lifted by last year’s tax cut legislation, but much of that benefit is being eaten up by higher prices at the pump.—
Christopher Rugaber,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
-
The film struck a chord with audiences, bolstered by its sharp humor and memorable performances, and even went on to receive an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Musical or Comedy Score.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
Another carried a sign supporting the addition of Trump to Mount Rushmore.—
Skyler Swisher,
The Orlando Sentinel,
1 May 2026
-
Desmond wore a large knife on his belt and carried a black fanny pack filled with ammunition.—
Shelly Bradbury,
Denver Post,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
Menin has supported Wilson, Bottcher’s former chief of staff, who had his ex-boss’s blessing in the race.—
Josephine Stratman,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Other factors, including scars, bruising, ligature marks and signs of malnutrition, supported evidence of long-term abuse, the warrant affidavit said.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Then a non-replacement replay official — who normally held a managerial role and wasn’t in the union — somehow upheld it.—
Michael Silver,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2026
-
In February 2025, a state appeals court upheld the jury’s verdict, ruling that Missouri’s laws requiring companies to warn of dangers are not preempted by federal law.—
Sarah J. Morath,
The Conversation,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Undergirded.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/undergirded. Accessed 6 May. 2026.
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