1
as in basis
an immaterial thing upon which something else rests
the underpinnings of the theory have recently been called into question
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in support
a structure that holds up or serves as a foundation for something else
the underpinnings of the bridge were seriously damaged in the collision
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in sustaining
to hold up or serve as a foundation for
the central beliefs that underpin a free society
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 underpinning
Sui-Lee Wee, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
Rapid and transformative technology innovation / adoption represent key underpinnings of these changes.
—John Werner, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 4 Dec. 2024
Jensen Huang’s company has become the poster child for all things AI, with its graphics processing units underpinning the technology’s large language models.
—Samantha Subin, CNBC, 3 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for underpinning
Noun
The earthquake on March 28 killed thousands of people and also struck a devastating blow to an underpinning of society: the country’s Buddhist clergy.
—Sui-Lee Wee, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
Rapid and transformative technology innovation / adoption represent key underpinnings of these changes.
—John Werner, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
Verb
There is no better book to give you an insider’s feel for what constitutes the sartorial intelligence underpinning Italian men’s fashion.
—Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 4 Dec. 2024
Jensen Huang’s company has become the poster child for all things AI, with its graphics processing units underpinning the technology’s large language models.
—Samantha Subin, CNBC, 3 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for underpinning
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underpinning
Noun
-
Kavanaugh also noted that the Administrative Procedures Act remains an avenue for plaintiffs to bring challenges to presidential policies on a nationwide basis.—
Devin Dwyer,
ABC News,
27 June 2025
-
As technology continues to rapidly advance and new tools are released on a consistent basis, determining how to best tackle cybersecurity threats and a lack of regulations for AI use is essential to keeping sensitive information and valuable IP safe for the long term.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
Noun
-
In 1879, politician Robert Evans introduced a bill to celebrate Black emancipation, but the bill did not garner enough support during the Jim Crow era, Collins said.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
19 June 2025
-
Twenty Twenty Six is being made for BBC One and iPlayer with additional support from OKRE regarding climate and health expertise.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
19 June 2025
Verb
-
While many artists can easily build a brand and fandom on social media, and then release music across streaming platforms without a major record label deal, managing and sustaining an entire career takes more know-how.—
Andrea Zarczynski,
Forbes,
31 Dec. 2024
-
The falling birth rate is a concern in terms of sustaining economic development and the provision of support for large numbers of elderly people in the future.—
George Monastiriakos,
Newsweek,
31 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
The brand consistently delivers effective skincare at an approachable price, and its skin tint combines foundation and mineral SPF 40 into one multitasking base layer to create a lightweight no-brainer for beach vacations.—
Rebecca Shinners,
Travel + Leisure,
21 June 2025
-
Those two periods in her life, happening at an age when one is open to major growth and evolution, intertwined into building the foundation for Rosemary’s wine career.—
Cathrine Todd,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2025
Noun
-
All academics in some form or fashion, the group swapped ideas at the intersection of their research: causal machine learning, reinforcement learning, and AI agents.—
Allie Garfinkle,
Fortune,
18 June 2025
-
Suddenly the team that had too much starting pitching might not have enough — especially with Frankie Montas and Sean Manaea, the reinforcements the Mets thought were on the horizon, combining to post an 11.95 ERA in eight rehab starts.—
Jerry Beach,
Forbes.com,
17 June 2025
Verb
-
The top priority for now is identifying the victims, supporting their families and treating the two survivors, Choi told a disaster management meeting in Seoul.—
Ju-min Park and Hongji Kim,
USA TODAY,
31 Dec. 2024
-
If your current job in comms is growing stale, consider pivoting to supporting an organization fighting climate change.—
Aliza Knox,
Forbes,
31 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
Smart organizations make culture a bedrock principle from the start.—
Greg Dolan,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2025
-
Like any journal of ideas, some of its positions did not age well (notably its strident opposition to the Civil Rights Movement), but other ideas became bedrock principles of the Republican Party.—
Terry W. Hartle,
Christian Science Monitor,
18 June 2025
Verb
-
But Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra insists the ethos remains, even at times such as these, with his team carrying a seven-game losing streak and 29-38 record into Monday night’s game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
16 Mar. 2025
-
The SpaceX Dragon vehicle carrying the four spacefarers selected for a mission known as Crew-10 successfully docked at the orbital outpost about 28 hours after launching from Florida.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA TODAY,
16 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Underpinning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underpinning. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share