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
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
-
Five officers responding to the crash site were also transported to a local hospital for treatment related to injuries sustained during the rescue operation, Loredo Police Public Information Officer Jose Espinoza told CNN.—
Diego Mendoza,
CNN Money,
17 June 2026
-
Donni is another label synonymous with the style—its taffeta cargo pant has sustained popularity in certain corners of the internet.—
Laura Jackson,
Vogue,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
In subsequent weeks, the movie, bolstered by positive word of mouth, has continued to perform well.—
Brendan Morrow,
USA Today,
14 June 2026
-
The buildings are bolstered with fire- and weather-proofing measures and are built to withstand year-round weather conditions, including heavy snow and extreme heat.—
Maggie Horton,
PEOPLE,
14 June 2026
Verb
-
Iran's blockade of the strait, which carried about 20% of the world's oil supply before the war, has throttled traffic through the critical oil shipping channel, driving up fuel prices and threatening the global economy.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
13 June 2026
-
The show focuses on a person looking back at their life and what carried them through from a list of wonderful things, big and small, that make life worth living.—
Marina Watts,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
The endeavor was supported by the Taiwanese government.—
Wayne Chang,
CNN Money,
17 June 2026
-
Hughton supported Addo at the previous World Cup in 2022 before taking charge of the team for the AFCON in Ivory Coast in early 2024.—
Simon Hughes,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
The penalty was upheld by the video assistant referee system, but the broadcast noted that Embelo might have been offside before fielding the cross.—
Chris Biderman,
Sacbee.com,
13 June 2026
-
In a terse decision, the state Court of Appeals upheld the law’s constitutionality.—
Robert Polner,
New York Daily News,
13 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Undergirded.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/undergirded. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
