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
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
Instruments drift in and out, sometimes accreting into subtle polyrhythms or harmonies, and other times lightly undergirding Ederra’s gorgeous runs.
—Stephen Kearse, Pitchfork, 11 Mar. 2026
Capital expenditures—capex, meaning the big-ticket purchases that fund the data centers, servers, and power infrastructure undergirding the AI race—is fueling record-high, multi-trillion dollar tech valuations when investors think the spending is warranted.
—Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 5 Feb. 2026
Every social theory undergirding Trumpism has been broken on the steel of Minnesotan resolve.
—Adam Serwer, The Atlantic, 27 Jan. 2026
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
Quanta Magazine, 23 Mar. 2026
That fear, undergirding all of our hard work.
—Mike Ryan, IndieWire, 12 Mar. 2026
Instruments drift in and out, sometimes accreting into subtle polyrhythms or harmonies, and other times lightly undergirding Ederra’s gorgeous runs.
—Stephen Kearse, Pitchfork, 11 Mar. 2026
Capital expenditures—capex, meaning the big-ticket purchases that fund the data centers, servers, and power infrastructure undergirding the AI race—is fueling record-high, multi-trillion dollar tech valuations when investors think the spending is warranted.
—Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 5 Feb. 2026
Every social theory undergirding Trumpism has been broken on the steel of Minnesotan resolve.
—Adam Serwer, The Atlantic, 27 Jan. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for undergirding
Verb
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Sponsored and provided by LifeBridge Health Maintaining adequate nutrition during cancer treatment is important for sustaining strength, minimizing side effects and supporting the best treatment response possible.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
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While the potential for a particularly dangerous fire season exists, it is not guaranteed, because the weather during the spring and summer months plays a large role in triggering blazes and sustaining them.—
Andrew Freedman,
CNN Money,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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His wife spent 10 years as a paraprofessional at Liggett Trail Early Childhood Center, supporting children with developmental disabilities.—
Joseph Hernandez
March 29,
Kansas City Star,
29 Mar. 2026
-
The goggles, the GPS address and the laptop — all of it was strong evidence supporting the bizarre story Denise and Aaron had been telling all along.—
Lauren Clark,
CBS News,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Troopers have determined the bus was carrying about 60 seventh and eighth grade students and adult staff members when the engine compartment began to smoke just south of Exit 32.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
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Heifler was carrying a large bottle of Everclear, a liquor with a high alcohol content level and had other components to make the Molotov cocktails at his home, the complaint said.—
Jake Offenhartz,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The National Women’s Soccer League is bolstering its executive ranks with two key hires as the league continues its rapid growth.—
Kennedy French,
Variety,
1 Apr. 2026
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The government in Budapest alleged money laundering—a charge bolstering its claims that Ukrainians are engaged in funny business beyond their borders.—
Isaac Stanley-Becker,
The Atlantic,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The Farizon Super Van (SV) underpinning this camper does not, making for a particularly large, breezy entry from the side.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
30 Mar. 2026
-
The engine underpinning Botto’s work uses an algorithm to produce text prompts, which are then turned into art using AI image-generation models including Stable Diffusion and Kandinsky AI.—
Stephy Chung,
CNN Money,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Medical licensure boards such as the Texas Medical Board and the Texas Board of Nursing are responsible for upholding medical professional standards no matter where an individual provides care.—
Emily Brindley
Health Reporter,
Dallas Morning News,
27 Mar. 2026
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Independence’s new artificial intelligence data center is moving forward after a Wednesday court decision upholding extensive tax breaks for the project.—
Ilana Arougheti,
Kansas City Star,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Undergirding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/undergirding. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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