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

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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

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 Guilt, suffering, and justified rage all loom large in Godzilla Minus Zero, and though this is science-fiction, Yamazaki is also keyed in to the real-life underpinnings of his fictional characters’ feelings. — Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 6 Nov. 2026 Georgia May Jagger is the new face of Mackage, in a holiday campaign that features black-tie underpinnings beneath Mackage outerwear. — Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 5 Nov. 2026 But for decades, scientists didn’t understand the neural underpinnings of cognitive exhaustion. — Cody Cottier, Scientific American, 4 Nov. 2026 The upcoming Ram Dakota, which will share its underpinnings with the Gladiator, is expected to be built at the Toledo Assembly Complex. — Joel Feder, The Drive, 3 Nov. 2026 To support the logistical underpinnings of land force cooperation, the initiative established a seamless, borderless Nordic military mobility corridor. — Foreign Affairs, 30 Oct. 2026 Like most social signals, the conventions around eye contact have evolutionary underpinnings. — Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 20 Oct. 2026 These findings, if confirmed, could explain the biological underpinnings behind why treating prenatal depression is so critical. — Catherine Demers, The Conversation, 16 Oct. 2026 But their emergence also underscores how much psychiatry still needs to learn about the biological underpinnings of depression and why patients respond differently to treatment. — Meghana Keshavan, STAT, 15 Oct. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underpinnings
  1. foundations
  2. shores
  3. cornerstones
  4. pillars
  5. bases
  6. supports
  7. bedrocks
  8. reinforcements
Noun
  • Rather than demolishing and starting again, the team kept the historic walls standing, reinforced every one of them, and dug beneath to take the foundations deeper.
    — Lucas Oliver Mill, Architectural Digest, 11 Nov. 2026
  • Next, the conservancy will need to secure funding to move the buildings onto their new foundations, potentially costing close to $250,000 to move two buildings 400 feet, according to Pham.
    — Emilie Takahashi, Oc Register, 11 Nov. 2026
Definition of foundations
Noun
  • The port city on the shores of the Chesapeake Bay chartered the country’s first commercial railroad in 1827.
    — Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 1 Nov. 2026
  • From the shores of Lake Ontario to rural Kansas, signs point to a voter coalition under strain, as Republicans grappling with a troubled economy question the party’s direction.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of shores
Noun
  • Advertisement On the campaign trail in the nation’s capital, Lewis George similarly made expanding affordable housing and universal childcare cornerstones of her platform.
    — Chantelle Lee, Time, 5 Nov. 2026
  • This encouragement has been one of the cornerstones of Wilson’s season.
    — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of cornerstones
Noun
  • The three pillars of Dan Hicks’ career as an NBC Sports broadcaster were golf, the Olympics and Notre Dame football, in no particular order.
    — Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 12 Nov. 2026
  • The researchers use electron-beam lithography to carve the diamond into nanoscale pillars.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 11 Nov. 2026
Definition of pillars
Noun
  • His speed running the bases, leaping skills in the outfield, arm strength and patience at the plate after a slow start created the perfect storm to produce an MVP season.
    — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 13 Nov. 2026
  • Operations continue to reclaim areas under the control of armed gangs, including locations used as hideouts, staging points, and supply bases.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 12 Nov. 2026
Definition of bases
Noun
  • One of three Holy Cap Squeezees formulas for pooches and pusses, this creamy, lickable puree supports stress response and emotional balance in pets taken to unfamiliar places.
    — David Dickstein, Oc Register, 11 Nov. 2026
  • Poltrona Frau leather upholstery makes up the seats, which are home to smart cabin controls and an adjustable leg rest, upper and lower lumbar supports, and armrests.
    — Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of supports
Noun
  • Clarity builds bridges and creates access, which are bedrocks of our organizational values.
    — Jennifer McRae, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026
  • 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
Definition of bedrocks
Noun
  • Cronin and his staff added reinforcements in the backcourt after the departure of Skyy Clark and Donovan Dent to Louisiana State.
    — Connor Dullinger, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Ideally, the Cubs would add reinforcements for the back end of the bullpen and not rely on Webb so heavily in those situations.
    — Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of reinforcements

Browse Nearby Words

underpinning
underpinnings
underpins
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Cite this Entry

“Underpinnings.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underpinnings. Accessed 14 Nov. 2026.

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