as in sustaining
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 undergirding
According to a blog published by the Council on Foreign Relations, the ins and outs of the crisis are complicated, but undergirding it all is the fact that the country is running out of hard currency.
—
Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 15 Oct. 2025
Even on tour, fans go expecting dramatic catharsis to be undergirding all that glee.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 3 Oct. 2025
Stepping away from living things, Vellend finds this dynamic at work in the development of violins and typewriters, in the technologies undergirding ChatGPT, and in the spread of cultural values like individualism.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 18 Aug. 2025
Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 15 Oct. 2025
Even on tour, fans go expecting dramatic catharsis to be undergirding all that glee.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 3 Oct. 2025
Stepping away from living things, Vellend finds this dynamic at work in the development of violins and typewriters, in the technologies undergirding ChatGPT, and in the spread of cultural values like individualism.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 18 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for undergirding
Verb
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Quarterback Bryce Young led three scoring drives in the first three quarters, but he was forced to leave the game after sustaining a right ankle injury just before the fourth quarter.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
20 Oct. 2025
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Fortunately, Colton escaped with only minor smoke exposure, and the house remained largely intact, with only a rug sustaining damage.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
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While there has been vocal backlash and criticism of De Niro’s remarks, people have also shared posts on social media supporting his comments.—
Marni Rose McFall,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Oct. 2025
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Aging can also contribute, as the supporting tissues of the anal canal naturally weaken over time.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Police reportedly located the woman after reviewing a two-second security camera video clip, in which she was allegedly seen on a city sidewalk carrying something that appeared to be wrapped in a bundle and holding it as a person would typically hold a baby.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
23 Oct. 2025
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Both Barrett and Ingram spent some time carrying all-bench units, but those should be infrequent units so long as the Raptors are largely healthy.—
Eric Koreen,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In an October public forum, Chapman cited improving student achievement, bolstering the curriculum, and setting high expectations for students as priorities.—
Eric Adler,
Kansas City Star,
21 Oct. 2025
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While trying to keep Beijing on side, Canberra has also been bolstering defense ties with Washington amid China’s growing influence in Asia-Pacific.—
John Liu,
CNN Money,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
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But Putin has not shifted from the hard-line demands underpinning his war.—
Alexander Smith,
NBC news,
22 Oct. 2025
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Ofcom has announced that this will not change, but the regulator has updated guidance underpinning these rules following an industry consultation.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
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These words were from a federal law enforcement agency, the same agency that had been responsible for upholding slavery through the Fugitive Slave Act.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 Oct. 2025
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Supreme Court weighs constitutionality of conversation therapy ban Months after upholding a ban on gender-affirming care for minors, the Supreme Court is once again hearing arguments about LGBTQ+ rights that could have major ramifications on young people.—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA Today,
10 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Undergirding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/undergirding. Accessed 26 Oct. 2025.
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