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
But the scene Lean Cat, Savage Cat takes you to is underpinned by a research project centered around iconic Berlin trans nightlife figure (and former lover of David Bowie) Romy Haag.
—
Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Jan. 2026
That soft‑power approach helped humanize a government that was simultaneously centralizing authority, pressuring independent media, and neglecting long‑term investment in the oil sector that underpinned the entire economy.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 5 Jan. 2026
Investor demand has also been underpinned by debasement trade, as concerns over swelling debt loads drive a retreat from sovereign bonds and the currencies they are issued in.
—Arkansas Online, 27 Dec. 2025
Here, Bader talks to Vogue about the extensive research process that underpinned his designs, the story behind that jaw-dropping ship sequence, and why the Shaker aesthetic still resonates today.
—Liam Hess, Vogue, 25 Dec. 2025
Central banks and geopolitics Gold’s rise has been underpinned by central banks buying up more gold themselves, led by China.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 25 Dec. 2025
This openness is what has long underpinned his knack for working with bold-face names and pull off the feat of dressing celebrities as vastly different as Beyoncé Knowles-Carter and Swift with equally great effect.
—Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 22 Dec. 2025
Even more than Nix's development, what has underpinned Denver's two-year turnaround is its defense under coordinator Vance Joseph — the same coordinator, yes, who was in charge during its 2023 nadir.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 16 Dec. 2025
The thing to keep in mind on a taxpayer basis is that the entirety of the college sports and higher education ecosystem is underpinned on those all being nonprofit tax-exempt organizations.
—Dana Taylor, USA Today, 11 Nov. 2025
Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Jan. 2026
That soft‑power approach helped humanize a government that was simultaneously centralizing authority, pressuring independent media, and neglecting long‑term investment in the oil sector that underpinned the entire economy.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 5 Jan. 2026
Investor demand has also been underpinned by debasement trade, as concerns over swelling debt loads drive a retreat from sovereign bonds and the currencies they are issued in.
—Arkansas Online, 27 Dec. 2025
Here, Bader talks to Vogue about the extensive research process that underpinned his designs, the story behind that jaw-dropping ship sequence, and why the Shaker aesthetic still resonates today.
—Liam Hess, Vogue, 25 Dec. 2025
Central banks and geopolitics Gold’s rise has been underpinned by central banks buying up more gold themselves, led by China.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 25 Dec. 2025
This openness is what has long underpinned his knack for working with bold-face names and pull off the feat of dressing celebrities as vastly different as Beyoncé Knowles-Carter and Swift with equally great effect.
—Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 22 Dec. 2025
Even more than Nix's development, what has underpinned Denver's two-year turnaround is its defense under coordinator Vance Joseph — the same coordinator, yes, who was in charge during its 2023 nadir.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 16 Dec. 2025
The thing to keep in mind on a taxpayer basis is that the entirety of the college sports and higher education ecosystem is underpinned on those all being nonprofit tax-exempt organizations.
—Dana Taylor, USA Today, 11 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underpinned
Verb
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Upon arriving at the home, police located a 12-year-old male who had sustained a gunshot wound.—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Police said that one person sustained a minor leg injury when shots were fired at the officers, and they were taken to the hospital for treatment.—
Christa Swanson,
CBS News,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The Braves further bolstered their bullpen Sunday, re-signing veteran reliever Tyler Kinley to a one-year deal.—
Gabriel Burns,
AJC.com,
11 Jan. 2026
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This soothing cream, bolstered by helps repair irritated or compromised skin while reducing redness.—
Colleen Sullivan,
InStyle,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Middleton first carried the Small Hudson bag from DeMellier in a rich mocha brown while attending Christmas Morning Service at Sandringham Estate.—
Emily Weaver,
PEOPLE,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Bison have carried their stories, teachings, and responsibilities for centuries.—
Marissa Perlman,
CBS News,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Trump has supported acting President Delcy Rodríguez, a longtime Maduro loyalist, who previously served as vice president under Maduro.—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Thank you to everyone who has supported us over the years.—
Nicholas Rice,
PEOPLE,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
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During the certification process, members of Congress have the opportunity to object to a state’s results, which triggers debate and then a vote about whether the objection is to be upheld.—
Jamie Thompson,
The Atlantic,
6 Jan. 2026
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The appeals court unanimously upheld Magnus-Stinson's ruling, agreeing that there was no evidence of an injury.—
Ryan Murphy,
IndyStar,
6 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Underpinned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underpinned. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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