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

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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

The conversation and the word itself, which gives the seventh and final episode its title, unlocks the Biblical underpinnings and the complexities governing many of the main characters. — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 1 Oct. 2026 The phone, the radio, the television, the fax, the cell, texting, video calls, AI—who among us truly grasps its underpinnings? — Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026

Verb

If the labs have pointed their models at the mathematical problems underpinning cryptography, saying so would help reassure the people responsible for securing the Internet. — Chris Stokel-Walker, Scientific American, 15 Oct. 2026 These requirements differ fundamentally from those underpinning most existing data strategies, and the gap is widening faster than leaders realize. — Richard Clough, Forbes.com, 5 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for underpinning

Recent Examples of Synonyms for underpinning

Noun

The defense trial accounts of bias were connected to Weeks’ rulings, which were within his discretion and not a basis for recusal, prosecutors argued.

— Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Oct. 2026
The combination of large-scale pre-training, distributed post-training and feedback-driven learning after deployment forms the basis of GO-3 Preview.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of basis

Noun

Industry support When Corral’s exit from Movistar Plus was announced last year, there was an outpouring of anger, grief and concern from Spain’s creative community that is rarely afforded to a commissioning executive.

— Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 30 Oct. 2026
As the disease progresses, muscles deteriorate, limiting the ability to hold one’s head upright, sit without support, raise arms or even breathe.

— Sandee LaMotte, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of support

Verb

Kelsey Peterson is a writer, dancer, and podcaster in Wisconsin who uses a wheelchair since sustaining a spinal cord injury in 2012 that left her paralyzed her from her chest down.

— Maribeth Romslo, Rolling Stone, 1 Nov. 2026
But the biggest talk of Missouri’s offense was Ahmad Hardy’s season debut after sustaining a gunshot wound in May.

— PJ Green November 1, Kansas City Star, 1 Nov. 2026

Definition of sustaining

Noun

The two nearly complete skeletons that serve as the foundation for the new research date to the Late Triassic period nearly 237 million years ago.

— Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 26 Oct. 2026
Felucca is the foundation for many other community firmware projects, transforming the FM-1 into a true multi-engine synth.

— ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of foundation

Noun

On Wednesday, nearly a week after the Salvadoran reinforcement began arriving, Haiti’s government finally publicly addressed the deployment.

— Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 30 Oct. 2026
After detecting the model’s attempt to access the internet, OpenAI paused frontier reinforcement learning while engineers strengthened the systems containing its agents.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of reinforcement

Verb

With roaring support from a packed crowd, Macklemore launched his Free Palestine Tour in Ireland’s capital Monday, just over a month after he was controversially dropped as Ed Sheeran’s supporting act.

— Chantal Da Silva, NBC news, 27 Oct. 2026
Attorneys general from 39 states and the District of Columbia have filed an amicus brief supporting New Jersey’s case against Kalshi.

— Josh Appel, Washington Post, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of supporting

Noun

But, mostly, remain with the bedrock of what fueled the Big Three success more than a decade ago and then the Heat’s NBA Final trips success thereafter.

— Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 1 Nov. 2026
Whatever one calls it, this permitting bill stands to degrade key provisions of bedrock laws, including the ESA, Clean Water Act, and National Environmental Policy Act.

— Elizabeth Neville, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Nov. 2026

Definition of bedrock

Noun

Matsui, a pillar of the Democratic establishment, has touted her experience in the House and record of delivering federal funding to the region.

— Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 30 Oct. 2026
For families There’s a comprehensive Ritz Kids program built around four pillars—nature, exploration, culture, and environment—with eco-workshops, nature walks, and babysitting available.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of pillar

Browse Nearby Words

underpinned

underpinning

underpinnings

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Style

“Underpinning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underpinning. Accessed 2 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of underpinning

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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