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
The sway of the founder CAIO Ganju, previously the company’s chief technology officer, started his AI journey in 2018, doing deep dives on neural networks and the mathematical underpinnings.
—
Sage Lazzaro, Fortune, 3 Sep. 2025
The writings left behind by the shooter in Wednesday's deadly attack at a Minnesota church have many of the underpinnings of a troubled person — and leave just as much confusion over why the mass shooting occurred, USA TODAY reports.
—Leah Olajide, Freep.com, 30 Aug. 2025
One person familiar with the situation who asked not to be named says that the structure of Natcast is typical of public-private partnerships and that its underpinnings were thoroughly reviewed by the Commerce Department before its establishment.
—IEEE Spectrum, 27 Aug. 2025
On one hand, the cryptographic underpinnings of data protection and privacy are at risk.
—Dino Dimarino, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Imbued in the theological underpinnings of the Abrahamic traditions is the archetype of a false messiah who appears near the end times, called Dajjal in Islam, Antichrist in Christianity, who for some will seem a saviour, but for others will herald destruction.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 15 Aug. 2025
Linwood and Glenwood Core to the new home devices — and current products like iPhones and iPads — is an overhaul to the underpinnings of Siri.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 14 Aug. 2025
Or anyone else who may be curious about not just the phenomenon of a modern-day dynasty but its underpinnings and the interwoven tales of the people behind it.
—Kansas City Star, 8 Aug. 2025
Sage Lazzaro, Fortune, 3 Sep. 2025
The writings left behind by the shooter in Wednesday's deadly attack at a Minnesota church have many of the underpinnings of a troubled person — and leave just as much confusion over why the mass shooting occurred, USA TODAY reports.
—Leah Olajide, Freep.com, 30 Aug. 2025
One person familiar with the situation who asked not to be named says that the structure of Natcast is typical of public-private partnerships and that its underpinnings were thoroughly reviewed by the Commerce Department before its establishment.
—IEEE Spectrum, 27 Aug. 2025
On one hand, the cryptographic underpinnings of data protection and privacy are at risk.
—Dino Dimarino, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Imbued in the theological underpinnings of the Abrahamic traditions is the archetype of a false messiah who appears near the end times, called Dajjal in Islam, Antichrist in Christianity, who for some will seem a saviour, but for others will herald destruction.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 15 Aug. 2025
Linwood and Glenwood Core to the new home devices — and current products like iPhones and iPads — is an overhaul to the underpinnings of Siri.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 14 Aug. 2025
Or anyone else who may be curious about not just the phenomenon of a modern-day dynasty but its underpinnings and the interwoven tales of the people behind it.
—Kansas City Star, 8 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underpinnings
Noun
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While current makeup trends have skewed more dewy than matte, the best powder foundations still have a place in everyday makeup routines thanks to their fail-proof application—just pat on, and go!—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Right now, as City attempt to establish their defensive foundations, Khusanov’s high-stakes defending is, oddly, their most reliable solution to a problem position.—
Jordan Campbell,
New York Times,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Described as semi-autobiographical, the play follows a year in the life of college student Josh (Ben Hirschhorn), whose alcoholism has led him from theater school in New York to the shores of a reservoir in his Colorado hometown.—
Chad Jones,
Mercury News,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Now, the decimation of the environment and indigenous people across the world, from the palm oil plantations of Indonesia to the cobalt mines of the Democratic Republic of Congo, has reached the shores of Great Nicobar.—
M. Rajshekhar,
Time,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
As is tradition, a few newcomers, comebacks and cornerstones on the New York Fashion Week schedule provided WWD an exclusive look at what inspired their collections.—
Ari Stark,
Footwear News,
9 Sep. 2025
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Maya Moore and Sylvia Fowles were cornerstones of the Minnesota Lynx when the franchise won four WNBA titles in seven years.—
Doug Feinberg,
Twin Cities,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Just ask Cakmak, who is doing just that in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which has identified the sector as one of its key growth pillars of the future.—
WWD Staff,
Footwear News,
10 Sep. 2025
-
The strategy focuses on five pillars, including climate action, and a long-term goal to eliminate the discharge of hazardous chemicals, preventing wastewater and air pollution, and enabling the recovery of water and chemistry across the supply chain.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
These are supports, as Crazy Bull explains, are as vital as what happens in classrooms and labs.—
Marybeth Gasman,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Geriatric care managers are generally people with medical and social services training (usually nurses and social workers) who have particular expertise in creating care plans that cover medical interventions and the creation of everyday life routines and supports for people with particular needs.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Mercury News,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The closer-than-expected race in the NL West was actually boosted by reinforcements this week.—
Chad Jennings,
New York Times,
11 Sep. 2025
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There’s a realistic scenario in which the Nuggets still need defensive reinforcements after the first stretch of the season, especially to guard on the perimeter and take some of the load off Braun and Gordon.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
7 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Burnout prevention and psychological safety will become the bedrocks of resilience.—
Maman Ibrahim,
Forbes.com,
11 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Without his braces, Butt-Head sees the world and himself in a whole new light.—
Kilty Cleary,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
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Or, Wu suggested, instead of opting for clear plastic aligners, a person could get metal braces or retainers.—
Zoë Schlanger,
The Atlantic,
25 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Underpinnings.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underpinnings. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
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