undergirds

present tense third-person singular of undergird
as in sustains
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 undergirds Something more insidious undergirds the SEC’s proposal than its immediate effect on corporate behavior. Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026 This kind of Fred-and-Ginger-meets-Laurel-and-Hardy coordination, and the trust that undergirds it, provides the authenticity in a world of red-nosed artifice. Sara Holdren, Vulture, 14 June 2026 Recently, plans for data center buildouts have accelerated as growing adoption of large language models such as Chat GPT stokes demand for the infrastructure that undergirds them. Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 11 May 2026 The second inaccuracy that undergirds this executive order is that there is rampant fraud in mail-in voting. John E. Jones Iii, The Conversation, 22 Apr. 2026 Amid this vast landscape of solutions, no one can hope to find a precise microscopic configuration that undergirds our particular macroscopic world. Quanta Magazine, 23 Mar. 2026 But changing a country, changing an entire regime, because Iran isn't just run by a strong man, there's an entire philosophy, a theocratic philosophy that undergirds the Iranian government. Dana Taylor, USA Today, 12 Mar. 2026 But in doing so, the preservationists failed to bring the proper claim to test the statutory authority Trump claims undergirds his authority to proceed without Congress’s blessing, Leon said. Ella Lee, The Hill, 26 Feb. 2026 Washington and Lee’s commitment to freedom of expression undergirds its ethos of civility. Blake D. Morant, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for undergirds
Verb
  • Beyond creating lifelong memories for families, the OC Fair is a key economic driver for the county that generates $109 million in wages and sustains nearly 2,200 jobs a year, according to an industry study released in May.
    Claire Wang, Oc Register, 13 July 2026
  • What sustains a relationship over years and decades is not the occasional spectacular gesture but a subtle, more repetitive pattern of behavior.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026
Verb
  • The developer behind the skyscraper – the former Pfizer headquarters being converted into apartments – previously told CNN that faulty column supports carrying too much weight were to blame, and the building has since been stabilized.
    Gloria Pazmino, CNN Money, 11 July 2026
  • The program supports people with limited income who are blind, age 65 or older, or have a qualifying disability.
    Britta Miller, The Washington Examiner, 11 July 2026
Verb
  • Pollonia Fashion boutique Vanilla carries resort wear by Greek designers, including bold print dresses and flowing caftans.
    Helen Iatrou, Travel + Leisure, 11 July 2026
  • The notion of remaining in your childhood home well into your adult years carries an enduring stigma, suggesting a failure to launch.
    Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 11 July 2026
Verb
  • If successful, the experimental therapy could deliver an immune rejuvenation breakthrough – one that bolsters the immune system rather than targeting a specific pathogen or disease.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 July 2026
  • Langeliers bolsters All-Star bid Langeliers became just the second A’s player to hit at least 20 home runs in four straight seasons, following Khris Davis, who did so from 2016 through 2019.
    Sean Campbell, Sacbee.com, 2 July 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Undergirds.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/undergirds. Accessed 18 Jul. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!