as in sustained
to hold up or serve as a foundation for
the central beliefs that underpin a free society
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Recent Examples of underpinned
Furthermore, we are underpinned by strong franchises and brands.
—
Jennifer Maas, Variety, 7 Apr. 2026
The Peaq is the latest use of VW Group’s MEB modular electric platform, which has underpinned dozens of models across VW, Škoda, Audi, Cupra, and Ford brands since 2019.
—New Atlas, 5 Apr. 2026
China’s reputation for technocratic pragmatism underpinned the country’s economic success.
—Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 1 Apr. 2026
From 1868 pastoralism was underpinned by a pearling industry that used Aboriginal women and, subsequently, Malay, Japanese, and other Asian sojourners as divers.
—Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Mar. 2026
The role is also underpinned by safeguarding training, DBS checks, and codes of conduct.
—Laura Williamson, New York Times, 16 Mar. 2026
Missing from that tally are fees paid to four law firms whose work underpinned the removal process.
—Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 15 Mar. 2026
In January, the Defense Department withdrew a federal regulation that underpinned the mandate, according to Stars and Stripes.
—Maria Aspan, NPR, 14 Mar. 2026
At the same time, my intimate awareness of the many challenges, setbacks, and disasters of postcolonial nation building during the cold war precluded the reflexive Western attitude toward Iran of fear and loathing underpinned by near-total ignorance.
—Pankaj Mishra, The New York Review of Books, 13 Mar. 2026
Jennifer Maas, Variety, 7 Apr. 2026
The Peaq is the latest use of VW Group’s MEB modular electric platform, which has underpinned dozens of models across VW, Škoda, Audi, Cupra, and Ford brands since 2019.
—New Atlas, 5 Apr. 2026
China’s reputation for technocratic pragmatism underpinned the country’s economic success.
—Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 1 Apr. 2026
From 1868 pastoralism was underpinned by a pearling industry that used Aboriginal women and, subsequently, Malay, Japanese, and other Asian sojourners as divers.
—Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Mar. 2026
The role is also underpinned by safeguarding training, DBS checks, and codes of conduct.
—Laura Williamson, New York Times, 16 Mar. 2026
Missing from that tally are fees paid to four law firms whose work underpinned the removal process.
—Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 15 Mar. 2026
In January, the Defense Department withdrew a federal regulation that underpinned the mandate, according to Stars and Stripes.
—Maria Aspan, NPR, 14 Mar. 2026
At the same time, my intimate awareness of the many challenges, setbacks, and disasters of postcolonial nation building during the cold war precluded the reflexive Western attitude toward Iran of fear and loathing underpinned by near-total ignorance.
—Pankaj Mishra, The New York Review of Books, 13 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underpinned
Verb
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Two other assailants were wounded and captured during Tuesday’s shootout in the city's financial and business district, while two police officers sustained slight injuries, officials said.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 Apr. 2026
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The Celtics, too, were expected to have a gap year of sorts given Jayson Tatum’s career-threatening Achilles injury sustained in the second round against the Knicks last season.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But Kiraly is not convinced the president’s budget proposal would lend enough support — even for the projects that Isaacman has personally bolstered.—
Jackie Wattles,
CNN Money,
5 Apr. 2026
-
The lineup is loaded, bolstered by South Carolina commit Bella Bourque (junior shortstop) and UMass commit Aniyah Bailey (junior catcher).—
Tom Mulherin,
Boston Herald,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Sandra Cazzola said the removal of the original crosswalk carried symbolic weight for the LGBTQ community.—
Ivan Taylor,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2026
-
But Kreider was able to direct a pass to Carlsson, who carried the puck into the Sharks’ zone, danced past winger Ty Dellandrea, and roofed a shot past Askarov.—
Curtis Pashelka,
Mercury News,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In February, a judge determined that the zoning board’s decision to grant the exceptions was legal and supported by the evidence, denying the neighbor’s petition for review.—
Chris Higgins,
Kansas City Star,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Congressman Eric Swalwell supported maintaining strong environmental standards while diversifying energy sources.—
Richard Ramos,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The governor’s map was challenged in court, with several lower court rulings against it, but it was ultimately upheld by the Florida Supreme Court in July 2025.—
Jeffrey Schweers,
The Orlando Sentinel,
11 Apr. 2026
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Again, if that case had been brought in a post-ACA 7 California state court, the district’s discriminatory policies would have been upheld.—
Alison Somin,
Oc Register,
10 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Underpinned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underpinned. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.
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