Thesaurus results for UNDERGIRDED

undergirded

verb

past tense of undergird

as in sustained

to hold up or serve as a foundation for the theory of evolution undergirds virtually all of modern biology

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 undergirded In doing so, Congress would be retreating from the notion that Medicare can control how many services physicians provide on a national basis, an idea that has undergirded Medicare’s doctor payments for decades. — John Wilkerson, STAT, 24 Sep. 2026 The financial manipulations that undergirded their fortunes get scrutinized as theft from the public purse, praise for their courage and perspicacity yields to condemnation for their conduct. — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2026 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for undergirded

Verb

This very serious injury was what was sustained by several riders after riding the X2 roller coaster at Six Flags Magic Mountain in California, including two who required emergency brain surgery.

— Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026
Williams originally sustained the injury late in Chicago’s Week 2 loss to Minnesota, pulling up lame on a fourth-quarter scramble toward the end zone before being carted off in visible tears.

— Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of sustained

Verb

The original show’s international profile has now been further bolstered by its shoot in Japan, where the series has become such a huge hit that setting part of Season 7 in Tokyo was a natural next step.

— Ed Meza, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026
Such moves have been bolstered by tens of billions of dollars in new funding from Congress.

— Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of bolstered

Verb

And while Hill is paying a half-million-dollar price for his battery, the judgment falls well short of expectations the plaintiff may have carried into the start of the trial.

— Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2026
To ensure the result stood up to scrutiny, the DS's charging port was sealed before departure, and Verstaen carried two GPS trackers during the ride.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of carried

Verb

The demonstration marked the completion of the project’s first phase, supported by funding from the US Department of Energy.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2026
The force, which rose to a peak of about 5,000 troops over the summer, has supported arrest operations, patrolled city streets and neighborhoods, and participated in cleanup efforts.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of supported

Verb

The Republican administration says the 4th Circuit decision conflicts with rulings by at least three other circuits and, if upheld, will hamper the government's ability to deport immigrants with terrorism ties in many other cases.

— ABC News, ABC News, 13 Oct. 2026
That decision, upheld on appeal, put the onus on the Continuum of Care, an amorphous entity with a board and open membership that had long functioned as an appendage of LAHSA but actually had the statutory power to hire or fire the agency.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of upheld

Browse Nearby Words

undergird

undergirded

undergirding

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Undergirded.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/undergirded. Accessed 18 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of undergirded

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

bon vivant

Popular in Grammar & Usage

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 16

Popular

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

Games & Quizzes