Thesaurus results for UNDERPINNING

underpinning 1 of 2

noun

ˈən-dər-ˌpi-niŋ

Definition of underpinning

as in basis

an immaterial thing upon which something else rests the underpinnings of the theory have recently been called into question

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Relevance

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

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underpinning

2 of 2

verb

present participle of underpin

as in sustaining

to hold up or serve as a foundation for the central beliefs that underpin a free society

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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

Noun

Otherwise, the underpinnings are perfectly sorted. — Utkarsh Sood june 27, New Atlas, 27 June 2026 Li is magnificently photographed throughout and is as alluring as the part demands, but Cat has no evident personality — nor does Flint, leaving Huston playing emotionally tortured but with no meaningful underpinnings. — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 22 May 2026

Verb

Xiaomi introduced the SkyNomad, and all-new Kunlun Platform, underpinning it at a world premiere last week. — New Atlas, 6 Aug. 2026 Its power comes from the base material underpinning the menu – masa, lovingly made by owner and chef Emmanuel Galvan. — John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 28 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for underpinning

Recent Examples of Synonyms for underpinning

Noun

Following Contreras’ majestic homer, Webb allowed back-to-back singles and hit a batter to load the bases.

— Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 22 Aug. 2026
On Friday, his only real trouble was in the fifth inning, when a soft single, a line drive and a bunt hit loaded the bases with one out.

— Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of basis

Noun

Wesseh said Liberia’s development needs may have influenced the government’s decision, with officials hoping the agreement would bring support from Washington.

— Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
Next, workers will install new cables, bolted into the five main branches, to stabilize the tree before removing the old supports.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of support

Verb

For production designer Nina Ruscio, creating that world meant building an emergency department capable of sustaining the series’ relentless pace without ever feeling repetitive.

— Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 18 Aug. 2026
Highlighting and sharing what others are doing is key to sustaining usage.

— Karen Dahut, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of sustaining

Noun

To that end, Jurin is building its own highly efficient, domain-specific foundation model—much of the frontier capability at a fraction of the compute cost, for customers who cannot, or will not, depend on a model owned in Washington or Beijing.

— Jurin AI Contributor, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Their foundation of Leo Carlsson, Cutter Gauthier and Beckett Sennecke gives them legit top-of-the-lineup forwards with premium offensive traits.

— Corey Pronman, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of foundation

Noun

Police reinforcements were called late Saturday to the temporary accommodation center for asylum seekers in Sintiki, a few kilometers (miles) from the Bulgarian border, after migrants threw rocks at guards, according to police.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026
The past two preseason games should prove that this Dolphins team needs reinforcements.

— Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of reinforcement

Verb

The remaining counts were split between supporting the lifting of the ban and undecided.

— Brittney Ermon, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
Twenty-seven percent showed indifference, however, possibly demonstrating that most voters would be fine supporting them in a general election, said Christian Grose, a political science professor at the University of Southern California.

— Justine McDaniel, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of supporting

Noun

The rest go deeper, forming waves that may move through some combination of loose material or the underlying bedrock.

— John Timmer, ArsTechnica, 21 Aug. 2026
In a matter of decades, private credit has become the bedrock of the post-industrial US economy, contributing nearly $900 billion to the country’s GDP and providing six million jobs over the past three years alone.

— Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of bedrock

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underpinned

underpinning

underpinnings

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Style

“Underpinning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underpinning. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of underpinning

noun

verb

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