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
Simmone Shah, Time, 30 Apr. 2026
In a post on X, Reeves underscored the ideological underpinnings to the ruling’s potential implications.
—Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026
Yinka Adegoke, semafor.com, 22 May 2026
The robust reporting underpinning these characters gives Van Dyk a roadmap.
—Sophie Monks Kaufman, IndieWire, 16 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for underpinning
Noun
Earlier this year, the Environmental Protection Agency repealed its endangerment finding, which provides the legal underpinning for greenhouse gas regulations in the country.
—Simmone Shah, Time, 30 Apr. 2026
In a post on X, Reeves underscored the ideological underpinnings to the ruling’s potential implications.
—Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026
Verb
The debate ultimately comes down to whether African countries can expand internet access without surrendering control over the infrastructure and economic value underpinning their digital economies.
—Yinka Adegoke, semafor.com, 22 May 2026
The robust reporting underpinning these characters gives Van Dyk a roadmap.
—Sophie Monks Kaufman, IndieWire, 16 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for underpinning
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underpinning
Noun
-
The 22-year-old right-hander gave up three hits, struck out seven and walked five in his 107-pitch effort, which included a 97-mph fastball to whiff Joey Loperfido with the bases loaded to end the third.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 June 2026
-
Omnisend has historically offered salary increases on a quarterly basis, so this cadence isn’t new.—
Sage Lazzaro,
Fortune,
9 June 2026
Noun
-
In the immediate aftermath of the stabbing, Lang was responsible for organizing a protest in support of Metcalf.—
Shawna Mizelle,
CBS News,
11 June 2026
-
El Tri will have an edge competing at high altitude and with the support of home fans, but Mexico is winless in World Cup openers.—
Eduard Cauich,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
Her hyperfocus on the leaf raises questions that extend far beyond the kitchen, inviting an inquiry into the banana plant’s movement across geographies and its role in sustaining cultural traditions.—
Sophia Rey,
JSTOR Daily,
28 May 2026
-
Emotionally cornered and spiritually exhausted, Anatoly at last lets everything rupture to the surface, sustaining the anthem's climactic note for over 20 seconds.—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
28 May 2026
Noun
-
Domestic capabilities are the foundation American ingenuity was a genesis for AI, from the invention of the transistor to the development of the transformer, which enables large language models.—
Olivia White,
Time,
29 May 2026
-
Freedom 250 has its own employees, but the foundation provides federal funds and the park service approves the events and reviews their budgets, according to the website.—
Jack Dolan,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
The goal now is to gradually expand the robot’s autonomous capabilities through reinforcement-learning systems trained to handle increasingly difficult terrain.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
8 June 2026
-
At this point any contribution this season would be welcomed, though reinforcements may be needed.—
Marc Topkin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
Let’s remember the wisdom of our leaders in supporting the humanitarian aid that gave people a chance to rebuild from the war.—
William Lambers,
Hartford Courant,
6 June 2026
-
Others are hemorrhaging money from divorce, supporting adult children or overextended on mortgage debt.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
6 June 2026
Noun
-
The decision sent shock waves across college sports because bans for gambling are a bedrock rule of the NCAA and in many professional sports.—
Stephen Hawkins,
Chicago Tribune,
8 June 2026
-
But in reality, the Falcon 9 rocket is the bedrock of SpaceX’s success today.—
Eric Berger,
ArsTechnica,
8 June 2026
Noun
-
The Catholic Church was a pillar of Franco’s dictatorship, and at least until the 1960s, the church enjoyed broad control and influence over Spanish society that waned after democracy took root.—
Nicole Winfield,
Los Angeles Times,
7 June 2026
-
Elsewhere, Toyota has added flocking to the instrument panel and A-pillar trim to reduce windshield glare.—
Utkarsh Sood
June 06,
New Atlas,
6 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Underpinning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underpinning. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
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