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
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Recent Examples of underpinning
Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 15 Aug. 2025
The Court highlighted the racist underpinnings of non-unanimous verdicts, a Jim Crow practice from the 1870s.
—Don Siegelman, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Aug. 2025
Nino Paoli, Fortune, 15 Aug. 2025
Its inspection tool is a narrator (Michael Chernus) who provides in-the-moment thoughts underpinning the words of Maggie (Quincy Tyler Bernstine), a middle-aged Midwesterner trying to make sense of her husband’s sudden death.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 8 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for underpinning
Noun
Imbued in the theological underpinnings of the Abrahamic traditions is the archetype of a false messiah who appears near the end times, called Dajjal in Islam, Antichrist in Christianity, who for some will seem a saviour, but for others will herald destruction.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 15 Aug. 2025
The Court highlighted the racist underpinnings of non-unanimous verdicts, a Jim Crow practice from the 1870s.
—Don Siegelman, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Aug. 2025
Verb
Copy trading, the concept underpinning dub, allows everyday investors to automatically replicate the trades of more skilled market participants in real-time.
—Nino Paoli, Fortune, 15 Aug. 2025
Its inspection tool is a narrator (Michael Chernus) who provides in-the-moment thoughts underpinning the words of Maggie (Quincy Tyler Bernstine), a middle-aged Midwesterner trying to make sense of her husband’s sudden death.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 8 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for underpinning
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underpinning
Noun
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Corps officials will evaluate each request on a case by case basis.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
16 Sep. 2025
-
This creates a better environment for fuller, stronger hair to grow—something our testers began to notice after lathering up with it on a regular basis.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
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That means no more security updates, patches, or tech support, so now’s the time to upgrade.—
StackCommerce Team,
PC Magazine,
14 Sep. 2025
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At the same time, maintaining emotional support while encouraging autonomy strikes a healthier balance than enabling avoidance.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Average all-in sustaining costs (AISC) for major producers hover between $1,080 and $1,220 per ounce.—
Frank Holmes,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
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This helps explain the S & P 500 churning to records without sustaining even a 3% pullback since May, placing valuations at cycle highs, while also creating room for disappointment or fatigue even if the Fed delivers as hoped .—
Michael Santoli,
CNBC,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
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With stars like Derek Jeter, Gerrit Cole, and many others involved, the gala raised more than $375,000 in support of the foundation’s mission.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
13 Sep. 2025
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While some uncertainty existed about whether Hendrix intended to make his record a double or triple-disc collection, seventeen songs were issued on a single CD to lay the foundation for Experience Hendrix’s catalog refurbishment.—
Mike Alleyne Ph.D,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Armed with those reinforcements, the Phillies have operated with a certain confidence.—
Matt Gelb,
New York Times,
10 Sep. 2025
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By combining hierarchical planning, reinforcement learning, and motion data drawn from human players, the project provides a blueprint for building robots that are efficient and intuitive in their movements.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Sweet almond, cucumber, flaxseed, broccoli, rice bran, rose hip, and radish oils are all present to deliver high-impact antioxidant power, barrier-supporting omega fatty acids, and the healthy radiance of someone who gets their daily serving of greens.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
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In 1981, Redford established the Sundance Institute at the site aimed at supporting emerging filmmakers, screenwriters, and other artists outside the mainstream Hollywood system.—
Hannah Parry
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Arakawa managed to mathematically tame these instabilities, and his scheme remains a bedrock of modern models.—
Zack Savitsky,
Quanta Magazine,
15 Sep. 2025
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These are organized into geologic map units, which range in composition from loose sand and gravel to very old bedrock.—
David Bressan,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Utah authorities released photos of the person of interest in the shooting on Thursday in which the individual can be seen on steps while carrying a black backpack and wearing a shirt with what appeared to be an American flag print on it.—
Jon Haworth,
ABC News,
12 Sep. 2025
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Where other presentations emphasize nondescript techno music and straight-size models, Antonoff and Alexsandra showcased their designs through a who's who of celebrities, sporting their new looks while carrying shelter dogs available for adoption.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Underpinning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underpinning. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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