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Earlier this year, the Environmental Protection Agency repealed its endangerment finding, which provides the legal underpinning for greenhouse gas regulations in the country.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
-
Those booking treatments at Sastra should coordinate directly with the spa to see what is possible on an individual basis.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 June 2026
-
As Augie Lopez trotted around the bases late Monday night, the small contingent of USC fans could finally be heard at Blue Bell Park.—
Jose de Jesus Ortiz,
Los Angeles Times,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
Her agency offers various programs like caregiver support and meal services, along with opportunities to exercise the mind.—
Lauren Pastrana,
CBS News,
4 June 2026
-
Israel invaded Lebanon in March in pursuit of Hezbollah, which fired across the border in support of Tehran.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
4 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
-
And in the meantime, defensive reinforcements could also be made in the way of Cucurella.—
Tom Sanderson,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
-
On Saturday night, the rapper’s first headlining solo show since at least 2019 was certainly a reinforcement that Jay-Z is still one of the best rappers alive, if not the preeminent emcee of his generation.—
Steven J. Horowitz,
Variety,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
While that is still a possibility, Breslow hasn’t interviewed any candidates and is right now focused on supporting Tracy.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
30 May 2026
-
The resulting benefits supporting pregnancy care, fertility care, surrogacy, adoption, egg freezing and the like have gained in popularity and made significant impacts.—
Rachel Braun Scherl,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2026
Noun
-
The lefty the brass swore was the bedrock of the future rotation.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
2 June 2026
-
This bedrock of the community is the place to sip frozen pina coladas and kick back.—
Zoey Goto,
Travel + Leisure,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
Behind him, in single file, trailed a troop of men and women carrying decades-old L1A1 and Lee-Enfield rifles.—
Dhruv Tikekar,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
-
The system relied on an 11-parachute sequence to safely decelerate the capsule carrying a crew of four astronauts from over 25,000 mph in space to a gentle 20 mph splashdown.—
Pat Maio,
Oc Register,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Underpinning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underpinning. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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