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.
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Recent Examples of underpinning
Steve Bousquet, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2025
For those who want a side of learning with their escapist fare, April offers a trove of new mysteries with literary, musical, and historical underpinnings.
—Yvonne Zipp, Christian Science Monitor, 1 Apr. 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 ballooning state budget, which is also the Legislature’s responsibility, is the underpinning of Perez’s surprise call to lower the statewide sales tax from 6% to 5.25%, an idea that also needs Senate approval to become law.
—Steve Bousquet, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2025
For those who want a side of learning with their escapist fare, April offers a trove of new mysteries with literary, musical, and historical underpinnings.
—Yvonne Zipp, Christian Science Monitor, 1 Apr. 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
-
The Knights had the bases loaded when Andrew Langer came on in relief and got the final out on a fly ball to center field.—
John Maffei,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 May 2025
-
When Harry and his wife Meghan departed the UK in 2020 and gave up their royal duties, the then Queen Elizabeth, Harry’s grandmother clarified that the pair would have ongoing personal security arranged on an ad-hoc basis reviewed each time.—
Caroline Frost,
Deadline,
10 May 2025
Noun
-
Ewing criticized Stothert’s support for President Donald Trump and turning the local race into a referendum on the national Republican platform.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
15 May 2025
-
Those heavy, bowl-like flowers need support to keep from breaking.—
Erica Browne Grivas,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 May 2025
Verb
-
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
-
The explicit mention of male-female relationships as the foundation of families and the injustice of harming the unborn seems to firmly settle the question of whether such topics were open for negotiation during his reign.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
16 May 2025
-
Shin kickers and road runners form the foundation of his 3-4-3.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
16 May 2025
Noun
-
Consistent reinforcement builds a vigilant, security-minded workforce.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2025
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The team went over the maximum reinforcement allowed for its front bumper covers.—
Lydia Mee,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 May 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
-
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
-
Congress’ positions on procedural issues, such as raising the debt ceiling or eliminating the filibuster, also increasingly depend not on bedrock principles but on who occupies the White House.—
Charlie Hunt,
The Conversation,
15 May 2025
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Increasingly, however, the interviews that are the bedrock of film coverage are fewer, shorter and more lightweight, often to the point of being useless for anyone trying to write a serious piece.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
12 May 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 22 May. 2025.
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