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

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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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for undergirded
  1. sustained
  2. bolstered
  3. carried
  4. supported
  5. upheld
Verb
  • The driver, since identified as Santa Paula man Derek Skinner, 34, sustained minor injuries, the release said.
    — Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026
  • In early 2025, Said was assigned to cover the Los Angeles wildfires and additional weather events, according to the suit, and while in the field sustained a bone contusion when a piece of heavy equipment struck her foot.
    — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of sustained
Verb
  • Chaminade-Madonna bolstered its backfield by adding senior running back and Purdue commit Amos Bradford from West Broward and junior quarterback Brady Quinn from Naples Lely.
    — Gary Curreri, Sun Sentinel, 20 Aug. 2026
  • The ultimate effect of Fedorov appeal to everyone’s better angels, is that Zelensky is weakened, the questions of his electoral legitimacy amplified, and the call for an end to the war bolstered.
    — Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of bolstered
Verb
  • At the celebrations, Torres was also spotted wearing a rubber bracelet with a Spain flag that carried branding from the Guardia Civil — one of the country’s two national law enforcement agencies (the other being the Policia Nacional).
    — Laia Cervelló Herrero, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Roughly 300 poles and 44 power transmission poles need to be repaired or replaced in Gary as a result of the storm, which carried winds of 99 mph (159 kilometers per hour), said Melody Birmingham, an executive at NIPSCO's parent company.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of carried
Verb
  • The aircraft carrier reached the Middle East in January and has since supported the US war against Iran including the blockade on Iranian ports.
    — Charlotte Reck, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026
  • The Ravens, however, have consistently supported Loop and downplayed the need to bring in another kicker.
    — Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of supported
Verb
  • The settlement comes after an appeals court upheld a $495 million judgment against Abbott in the high-profile case earlier this year.
    — Lisa Schencker, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026
  • The Nationals challenged the call, but the decision was upheld after a review.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of upheld

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Undergirded.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/undergirded. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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