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
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Recent Examples of underpinning
Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 23 Mar. 2026
The movie does attempt to gesture at class and race as thematic underpinnings (the maids trapped in The Virgil are mostly non-white, while the villains are rich Caucasians), but like the story and action at large, these go pretty much nowhere, and feel like obligatory symbols.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 18 Mar. 2026
ArsTechnica, 24 Apr. 2026
The film centers on two fraudulent paranormal investigators who are forced to face real ghosts — and the lies underpinning their business.
—Matt Donnelly, Variety, 21 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for underpinning
Noun
And yet, while the NCAA Tournament retains its traditional trappings and brackets and upsets keep the country entranced, the underpinnings of college basketball are totally different.
—Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 23 Mar. 2026
The movie does attempt to gesture at class and race as thematic underpinnings (the maids trapped in The Virgil are mostly non-white, while the villains are rich Caucasians), but like the story and action at large, these go pretty much nowhere, and feel like obligatory symbols.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 18 Mar. 2026
Verb
In November, the agency announced a separate set of proposals that would dismantle several other rules underpinning the law, including changes that would hinder agencies’ ability to protect species from rapid global warming impacts.
—ArsTechnica, 24 Apr. 2026
The film centers on two fraudulent paranormal investigators who are forced to face real ghosts — and the lies underpinning their business.
—Matt Donnelly, Variety, 21 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for underpinning
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underpinning
Noun
-
Littell loaded the bases with one out in the fourth.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Rambus reported a first-quarter operating margin of 42%, on an adjusted basis, which was lower than the 46% reported in the year-ago period.—
Sarah Min,
CNBC,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The only other two candidates to get double-digit support were Bianco and Becerra.—
Paris Barraza,
USA Today,
7 May 2026
-
Public First has spent four hundred and fifty thousand dollars in support of Bores.—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus,
New Yorker,
7 May 2026
Verb
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Then Matthew Boyd needed surgery on the meniscus in his left knee this week, sustaining the injury while playing at home with his kids.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
8 May 2026
-
Margaret moved into his battle station and fought bravely, sustaining three gunshot wounds, until the British captured the post.—
Kurt Snibbe,
Oc Register,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
Some houses have the building drain exiting the house up high on a foundation wall.—
Tim Carter,
Hartford Courant,
9 May 2026
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Osvald Søe, 20, Wilson Eisner, 24, and Kieran Sargeant, 22, have all contributed to a developmental foundation that gives Varas’ club energy, athleticism, upside, and, at times, understandable volatility.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 May 2026
Noun
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The crumbling concrete on the balconies has allegedly left holes that expose reinforcement steel, leading to rust, corrosion, and water intrusion.—
Larry Seward,
CBS News,
1 May 2026
-
The system is trained end-to-end using reinforcement learning in simulation across diverse, randomized terrains.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Expanding access to high-quality early education, supporting the workforce behind it, and giving families clearer information is all part of the solution.—
Tina Dello Russo,
Boston Herald,
10 May 2026
-
In general, Korean skin care is often formulated with lower-irritation potential and barrier-supporting ingredients, which can be helpful if your skin concerns include dull skin or working toward a more even skin tone—especially for those with sensitive skin.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
9 May 2026
Noun
-
The democratic tradition in America of the president being a civilian remains a bedrock principle.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Apr. 2026
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Synthetic ceramics have become the bedrock of modern life, and they are now found in everything from hip replacements to cell phone casings.—
Caitlin Kennedy,
Scientific American,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Others may use hollow pipes, tubes, window ledges or even sliding door tracks (a favorite site for the grass-carrying wasp).—
Pamm Cooper,
Hartford Courant,
9 May 2026
-
Lerner’s critical reputation is also through the roof, each new book carrying the weight of potentially being a moment of great artistic import.—
John Warner,
Chicago Tribune,
9 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Underpinning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underpinning. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
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