Thesaurus results for UNDERGIRDING

undergirding

verb

present participle of undergird

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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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 undergirding This week, Ars hosted a live discussion with Ross Scott about the Stop Killing Games movement and its ongoing efforts to ensure that games remain playable even after the original publisher shuts down the online servers undergirding them. — Kyle Orland, ArsTechnica, 14 Aug. 2026 The gain helps cement Microsoft’s Azure as a leading cloud giant behind Amazon Web Services, and as one of the most prominent providers of the infrastructure undergirding the AI era. — Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 29 July 2026 Beyond the commercial aspect, the assumptions undergirding death positivity have begun to feel nearly as outdated as putting lipstick on a corpse. — John Semley, Harpers Magazine, 28 July 2026 But for hardcore believers, this didn’t mean that the philosophy undergirding the Soviet experiment was wrong. — Literary Hub, 21 July 2026 But there are key threads undergirding it. — Megan Feringa, New York Times, 17 May 2026 OpenAI is at the heart of a web of deals undergirding the artificial intelligence boom that has helped power the entire stock market higher. — Rob Wile, NBC news, 28 Apr. 2026 In the early 2000s it was shown that there are at least 10500 different configurations of the six compact dimensions, each theoretically undergirding a universe with different properties. — Quanta Magazine, 23 Mar. 2026 That fear, undergirding all of our hard work. — Mike Ryan, IndieWire, 12 Mar. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for undergirding

Verb

The Aggies' leading tackler, Harrison Taggart, was taken off in an ambulance in the first half after sustaining what appeared to be a head injury.

— ABC News, ABC News, 19 Sep. 2026
Two adults were injured, and 16 children were hurt, with one child sustaining serious injuries and being airlifted from the crash to Birmingham, Ala.

— Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of sustaining

Verb

Star Matthew Rhys won best actor, Stephen Root won best supporting actor and Kate O'Flynn won best supporting actress.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 15 Sep. 2026
There is a concern that formally accepting their preferred description of ‘public figures’ could potentially be seized upon by Harry as supporting his argument over security.

— Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of supporting

Verb

Authorities didn't comment on the drone's origin or purpose, saying further investigation was needed, but two senior officials said the device was likely carrying explosives.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Sep. 2026
Since the raid, many have returned to work at US battery plants doing similar jobs, often on the same visas, while carrying the fear of being swept up again by immigration agents, the workers told CNN.

— Hanna Park, CNN Money, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of carrying

Verb

The Chicago Blackhawks opened training camp with three-time Stanley Cup champion Patrick Kane back on the roster, bolstering their own hopes of returning to the postseason.

— Matt Zahn, CBS News, 18 Sep. 2026
The Mets initially brought in Young on a one-year, major-league contract in December of 2024 with an eye on bolstering the club’s depth.

— New York Daily News, New York Daily News, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of bolstering

Verb

And the looming reality underpinning all of it is that, at some point between now and 2030, some (not all) of the current main characters, the faces of the program, could begin to fade.

— Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
Interventions can include removing trees and vegetation or constructing barriers to isolate their roots from the house’s foundations and, at the more extreme and expensive end, underpinning the house by pumping concrete beneath the foundations.

— Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of underpinning

Verb

And neither were the co-hosts, who felt their fun, feel-good, not-that-serious event was suddenly being accused of upholding white supremacy.

— E. Alex Jung, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2026
Organizers describe the demonstrations as nonviolent and focused on upholding democratic principles.

— Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of upholding

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undergirded

undergirding

undergirds

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“Undergirding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/undergirding. Accessed 21 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of undergirding

verb

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