1
as in foundations
an immaterial thing upon which something else rests
the underpinnings of the theory have recently been called into question
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in shores
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of underpinnings
Moving on to the underpinnings.
—
New Atlas, 27 May 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
What has been missing in systems thinking is the character underpinnings that enable or undermine it.
—Mary Crossan, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
In a post on X, Reeves underscored the ideological underpinnings to the ruling’s potential implications.
—Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026
The two share mechanical underpinnings, including their powertrains and most fundamental off-road hardware.
—ABC News, 22 Apr. 2026
Trump has alluded to the political underpinnings of the influx.
—Cleve R. Wootson Jr. The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 25 Mar. 2026
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
New Atlas, 27 May 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
What has been missing in systems thinking is the character underpinnings that enable or undermine it.
—Mary Crossan, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
In a post on X, Reeves underscored the ideological underpinnings to the ruling’s potential implications.
—Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026
The two share mechanical underpinnings, including their powertrains and most fundamental off-road hardware.
—ABC News, 22 Apr. 2026
Trump has alluded to the political underpinnings of the influx.
—Cleve R. Wootson Jr. The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 25 Mar. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underpinnings
Noun
-
Presidential libraries, in general, are staffed by the nonpartisan National Archives, with museum exhibits maintained largely by presidential foundations.—
Christopher Borrelli,
Chicago Tribune,
14 June 2026
-
Typically the more basic onion varieties are used as foundations for sauces or other dishes, but there are so many other delicious and unique varieties of onions, from scallions to green onions to sweet onions such as Vidalia or Maui.—
Stacey Lastoe,
Southern Living,
14 June 2026
Noun
-
Usually, prevailing winds push warmer surface water away from the Americas toward Asia and Oceania, but El Niño disrupts this process, leaving warm water close to North and South America’s shores.—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
17 June 2026
-
The sandy shores are combed for seaweed and trash nightly, which earned the town a Blue Wave certification.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
17 June 2026
Noun
-
Public safety has emerged as one of the cornerstones of Pratt's platform.—
Ashley Hume,
FOXNews.com,
6 June 2026
-
Considering the potential for a new manager and the departures of long-serving Guardiola cornerstones like Stones and Silva, this is shaping up to be a big summer of change at City.—
Jessica Hopkins,
New York Times,
22 May 2026
Noun
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Due to the material’s structural limitations, it cannot be used for high-strength or critical load-bearing structures like skyscraper pillars or major bridges.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
15 June 2026
-
When constructed, the stone circle was aligned with the sun, and to this day, thousands of people gather to witness the moment the sun peeks perfectly through its pillars.—
Julia Gomez,
USA Today,
14 June 2026
Noun
-
Nola and Realmuto, long bedrocks for the organization, are facing turmoil.—
Matt Gelb,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
-
One of the bedrocks of Bednar’s coaching philosophy is breaking the season into 10-game segments.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Structural issues in the roof have forced staff to install pipe jacks as temporary supports, and Leonard acknowledged the situation is unsustainable.—
Kevin Strong,
CBS News,
15 June 2026
-
If the county reinforces only the bridge but leaves the stream banks unstable, high-velocity water that caused the initial damage may continue to wash away the ground around the new supports.—
Sofia Montoya-Deck,
Baltimore Sun,
14 June 2026
Noun
-
Good news is, some reinforcements are en route.—
Tyler Estep,
AJC.com,
12 June 2026
-
The expectation is that, in addition to Ederson, United will add at least one and perhaps two more reinforcements in the middle of the park.—
James McNicholas,
New York Times,
9 June 2026
Noun
-
The discrepancy stems from Medicare not paying all of his bills for thousands of orthotic braces.—
Jay Weaver,
Miami Herald,
10 June 2026
-
Mazumder worked in internal medicine, and as an independent contractor signed more than 3,000 orders for unnecessary medical equipment like orthopedic braces for people insured by Medicare and TRICARE, a medical program for active and retired military personnel and their families.—
Julia Coin
June 9,
Charlotte Observer,
9 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Underpinnings.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underpinnings. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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