underpinnings

noun

plural of underpinning
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

Relevance
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

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 underpinnings For twenty years, McCarthy has been swimming against the current, writing novels that reflect, with unusual intensity, his disdain for the conventional underpinnings of literary fiction. — Max Callimanopulos, New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2026 Boned corsets, drawstring ties, and lace insertions—typically a garment’s underpinnings—are deliberately revealed on several pieces. — Laura Neilson, Vogue, 4 Oct. 2026 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 The occasional hints on non-denim pieces come in the material’s colors for devoré tops, lace underpinnings and jacquard knits, which often reprise Dondup’s tribal logo. — Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 27 Sep. 2026 Underneath the bodywork are some relatively familiar underpinnings; Bentley shares technology with Porsche as both are part of the greater Volkswagen Group empire. — Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 23 Sep. 2026 Summary Toyota's new C-HR+ electric SUV signals a serious EV commitment, presenting a larger, sharper-looking model distinct from its hybrid counterpart, built on bZ4X underpinnings. — Matthew MacConnell, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026 Otherwise, the underpinnings are perfectly sorted. — Utkarsh Sood june 27, New Atlas, 27 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underpinnings
  1. foundations
  2. shores
  3. cornerstones
  4. pillars
  5. bases
  6. supports
  7. bedrocks
  8. reinforcements
Noun
  • Dropping two cylinders and losing almost three liters of displacement means there’s no option for shaking a garage on its foundations or setting off car alarms while waiting for a red light.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The fund launched with $27 million, including an initial $10 million donation from the Knight Foundation and support from Pivotal and the Ford, MacArthur, Robert Wood Johnson and Schmidt Family foundations.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of foundations
Noun
  • The shores of Clearwater Beach are packed block-to-block with resorts booked up by eager beachgoers, but the JW Marriott might just be the one to convince you to hang around a little bit longer before launching into Clearwater’s ombré coast.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Coastal flooding will remain the biggest concern for the region in the coming days, particularly for south-facing shores, given the combination of high tides, a higher-than-typical water level and the arriving tropical storm.
    — Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of shores
Noun
  • The theme of the evening was family and relationships, the cornerstones of the business for the last century.
    — Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The goal on defense is to force more opponents to throw at two cornerstones who keep making plays on the ball.
    — Nate Atkins, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of cornerstones
Noun
  • The ground floor features an 18-seat bar with a rum wall backsplash, carved Moai heads and high-tops that spill out to a lush faux-grass courtyard framed in palm trees and tiki-totem pillars.
    — Phillip Valys, Sun Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The pillars of maintaining safe and secure facilities and preparing people for reentry can only be realized if the Bureau of Prisons is provided the necessary resources.
    — Scott Peyton, Washington Post, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of pillars
Noun
  • Security researchers examining a sample found more than 30 million location points, including phones at the White House, the Kremlin and military bases around the world.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The use of GDRs offers a template for exchanges across the continent to expand pan-African trade and broaden their investor bases.
    — semafor.com, semafor.com, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of bases
Noun
  • Whatever marks that remain after pulling the supports away and curing the parts are easily ground or sanded away.
    — Michael Lydick, PC Magazine, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The mural is painted directly onto the building’s walls, ceiling, and structural supports, so the art literally comes with the listing (or vice versa).
    — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of supports
Noun
  • The costs of health insurance are pushing small businesses — beloved by politicians and the bedrocks of entire communities — to a financial cliff.
    — Bob Herman, STAT, 7 July 2026
  • Hillary Rodham Clinton also reflect on the bedrocks of our democracy, including the Electoral College and the peaceful transfer of power.
    — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 24 June 2026
Definition of bedrocks
Noun
  • Police reinforcements were sent from the capital, Brussels, and from Antwerp, and more are coming.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Namely, a desperate need for pitching reinforcements and a belief that Holmes’ profile would mesh with their Gold Glove infielders.
    — Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of reinforcements

Browse Nearby Words

underpinning
underpinnings
underpins
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Underpinnings.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underpinnings. Accessed 15 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All