as in sustaining
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 undergirding
So age has been something that's always been undergirding.
—
Dana Taylor, USA Today, 10 Dec. 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
Dana Taylor, USA Today, 10 Dec. 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
-
Western governments have imposed sanctions on her in the past for her part in sustaining Maduro’s administration.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Puig first tore the ACL in his left knee in the Western Conference final in 2024, assisting on the game’s only goal after sustaining the injury.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
If your money wasn’t involved in supporting the Dallas Cowboys show, all of it may be funny, instead of just flat, sad, and a bad joke.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The companies said the robotaxi is designed to deliver a premium passenger experience while supporting large-scale autonomous deployment.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Putin is yet to comment on the developments related to the tanker, which the US had previously sanctioned for carrying illicit Iranian oil.—
Kosta Gak,
CNN Money,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Russia attacks Ukraine with new Oreshnik ballistic missile Russia attacked Ukraine overnight with a new hypersonic ballistic missile, an advanced weapon capable of carrying a nuclear warhead.—
Kayla Hayempour,
NBC news,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Furthermore, the capital will enable Swap to enter new target geographies, equally bolstering its payments capabilities.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Sourcing Journal,
7 Jan. 2026
-
In the past some years, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Oman have also been bolstering their mediation efforts and seeking more prominent roles in helping reduce conflicts.—
Galip Dalay,
Time,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Advertisement But Kedrosky is deeply worried about the financial structures underpinning the industry.—
Andrew R. Chow,
Time,
9 Jan. 2026
-
The investigation underpinning both indictments was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations, the Salinas Police Department and the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office.—
Robert Salonga,
Mercury News,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
With the global order in flux and the great powers pursuing geopolitical and normative revisionism, there has been much discussion about the role small and middle powers can play in upholding international law and multilateralism.—
Galip Dalay,
Time,
6 Jan. 2026
-
But upholding the rule of law also means making sure there are consequences for those who undermine it.—
Mary Ellen Klas,
Twin Cities,
31 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Undergirding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/undergirding. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share