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
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Recent Examples of underpinning
Caren Zucker, The Atlantic, 6 July 2025
The second, made from 1967 to 1969—and still based on some Valiant underpinnings—offered serious performance, thanks to optional V-8 engines.
—Robert Ross, Robb Report, 20 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
Autism’s genetic underpinnings were first uncovered through studies of twins in the 1970s.
—Caren Zucker, The Atlantic, 6 July 2025
The second, made from 1967 to 1969—and still based on some Valiant underpinnings—offered serious performance, thanks to optional V-8 engines.
—Robert Ross, Robb Report, 20 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
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On an annual basis, headline PPI increased 3.3%, the biggest 12-month move since February and well above the Fed’s 2% inflation target.—
Jeff Cox,
CNBC,
14 Aug. 2025
-
Though calls are still winning out on an absolute basis, puts have been more popular than usual in the options pits.—
Schaeffer's Investment Research,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The states argue the administration can’t threaten to withhold the more than $1 billion in federal grants from a program created in 1984 to bolster support for crime victims.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
19 Aug. 2025
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President Donald Trump had just spent several hours in meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and seven other leaders from Europe who had come along in a frantic effort to shore up U.S. support for the Ukrainian position.—
Simon Shuster,
Time,
19 Aug. 2025
Verb
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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
-
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
Noun
-
Hardware is the foundation of AI infrastructure, so securing it should be a top priority.—
Yuriy Bulygin,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
-
For a chipmunk that is causing structural damage, such as undermining the foundation of stairs or walkways, rat-sized snap traps baited with peanut butter are effective, says Anderson.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
7 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The reinforcements are much-needed for a Pride side that has been unable to rely strongly on its bench options early in the season.—
Kyle Foley,
The Orlando Sentinel,
4 Aug. 2025
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But when left back Sam Vines and rookie Alex Harris (who has played less than 10 MLS minutes) are the first offensive reinforcements off the bench, chasing a game becomes much harder.—
Braidon Nourse,
Denver Post,
4 Aug. 2025
Verb
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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
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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
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Celebrating 15 years in 2025, the Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens is a bedrock of the community, welcoming all to enjoy its shaded walkways, flowering native gardens, and acres of wetlands and mangrove forests.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
7 Aug. 2025
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The Kanwar Yatra passes through the northern states that form the bedrock of support for Modi’s Hindu-nationalist government, which critics accuse of attacking the secular ideals enshrined in India’s constitution.—
Aishwarya S. Iyer,
CNN Money,
25 July 2025
Verb
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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
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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
Cite this Entry
“Underpinning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underpinning. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
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