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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Despite his failures to win the big games, Franklin won at a level plenty of schools and fan bases would welcome.

— Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
In an attempt to combat the limited water supply, the Puerto Rican government is turning off residents’ access to the necessity on a rotating 48-hour basis.

— Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of basis

Noun

Others are just as deliberate about avoiding the front lines, gravitating toward technical or support specialties where the likelihood of direct combat is lower, but translating those skills to a civilian job may be smoother.

— Steven Beynon, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
Jiang’s era saw China’s economy charge ahead and open up to the world, culminating with the country joining the World Trade Organization – with US support – in 2001.

— Sylvie Zhuang, CNN Money, 17 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

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 model includes information about the stream and surrounding area, such as elevation, slope of the stream, how straight the stream is, the number of streams nearby, average precipitation and geology of the bedrock layer.

— Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 15 Aug. 2026
Multiple titles also chart for Millennials and the Gen Z the evolution of bedrock relations beyond those of nuclear families.

— John Hopewell, Variety, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of bedrock

Noun

Webb later revisited the region in infrared, seeing through more of the dust and revealing stars hidden inside and behind the pillars.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 15 Aug. 2026
Washington and Beijing also appear to be making no progress towards building a pillar of their trade truce, a bilateral board of investment, the head of a top US business group told the South China Morning Post.

— Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of pillar

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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 21 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of underpinning

noun

verb

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