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, 3 Nov. 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, 3 Nov. 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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Freedom of the Press Under the Current Administration — Presented by the Golden Globe Foundation, this session brings together journalists and advocates defending freedom of the press and the essential role of truth in sustaining democracy.—
Kimberly Nordyke,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Nov. 2025
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According to authorities, the typhoon has already had devastating impacts on many parts of Luzon — the Philippines’ most populous island — sustaining winds of 185 kph (115 mph) and gusts of up to 230 kph (143 mph).—
Desiree Anello,
PEOPLE,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
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In 2016, as the Commonwealth moved to censure the Maldives, New Delhi provided diplomatic cover by making the case for engagement over sanctions and supporting the Maldives’ preemptive withdrawal from the organization.—
MUHIB RAHMAN,
Foreign Affairs,
12 Nov. 2025
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Please consider supporting local journalism and getting unlimited digital access.—
Leah Olajide,
Freep.com,
11 Nov. 2025
Verb
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China last tested its ICBM force in September 2024—its first since the 1980s—when a DF-31AG missile carrying a dummy warhead was fired toward international waters in the South Pacific, within the region's nuclear-free zone, according to a Newsweek map.—
Ryan Chan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
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The Falcon 9's upper stage, meanwhile, continued carrying the 29 Starlink satellites toward LEO, where were deployed on schedule about an hour into flight.—
Josh Dinner,
Space.com,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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While Beijing is bolstering production networks and investing in infrastructure in countries in Southeast Asia, Washington is penalizing those countries with punitive tariffs.—
LAEL BRAINARD,
Foreign Affairs,
10 Nov. 2025
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China has undertaken a massive expansion of sites linked to missile production since 2020, bolstering its ability to potentially deter the US military and assert its dominance in the region, a new CNN analysis of satellite images, maps and government notices reveals.—
Tamara Qiblawi,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The Florentine merchant was a committed letter writer and underpinning most of these letters was the ledger, containing the balance sheets of a whole host of businesses.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
5 Nov. 2025
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This offers a degree of clarity on supplies of the critical minerals, which are an essential component in the semiconductors underpinning the AI boom.—
Hugh Leask,
CNBC,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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His choices force Mickey to constantly balance protecting her family with upholding the law.—
Samantha Stutsman,
PEOPLE,
9 Nov. 2025
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Together, we are dedicated to upholding the highest standards of respect, safety, and integrity for all participants, staff, and stakeholders.—
Megan Cartwright,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Undergirding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/undergirding. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.
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