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
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
The jawy little hammerhead camper now rolls out in its sixth iteration, combining the same ultra-rugged galvanized steel underpinnings with a roomier, more comfortable camping pod.
—New Atlas, 17 Mar. 2026
The title of the park, which will likely move to a more permanent location in 2027, hints at its feminist underpinnings.
—Jane Horowitz, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2026
All that said, heavy underpinnings and armor plating cost weight.
—Andrew P. Collins, The Drive, 12 Mar. 2026
His research focuses on the neural and psychological underpinnings of visual perception and mental imagery.
—Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 26 Feb. 2026
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
The jawy little hammerhead camper now rolls out in its sixth iteration, combining the same ultra-rugged galvanized steel underpinnings with a roomier, more comfortable camping pod.
—New Atlas, 17 Mar. 2026
The title of the park, which will likely move to a more permanent location in 2027, hints at its feminist underpinnings.
—Jane Horowitz, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2026
All that said, heavy underpinnings and armor plating cost weight.
—Andrew P. Collins, The Drive, 12 Mar. 2026
His research focuses on the neural and psychological underpinnings of visual perception and mental imagery.
—Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 26 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underpinnings
Noun
-
Plans for the new government building are set to begin, with the laying of foundations scheduled for the end of 2026.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Apr. 2026
-
This is a year of work and building to create solid foundations in your life.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Their shores have received merchants, soldiers and migrants moving between East Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and the Indian subcontinent.—
Adam Pourahmadi,
CNN Money,
22 Apr. 2026
-
The Album, helped steer Epic from the digital sea and into the shores of the real world, with physical product and merchandizing, racking up millions of dollars from an eager fanbase.—
Borys Kit,
HollywoodReporter,
22 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Roseman has picked franchise cornerstones like Quinyon Mitchell, while there have also been underwhelming selections like Jalen Reagor and Andre Dillard.—
Tom Ignudo,
CBS News,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Food and drink Seasonal, clean cuisine is one of the cornerstones of the food and beverage program at 1 Hotel.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Downriver from the Shoshone Falls are the Pillar Falls, a low waterfall split by rock pillars.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
26 Apr. 2026
-
As their mutual competitiveness grows shockingly ugly, Niall learns to turn Ruben’s Samsonian strength and fury against him, knocking down the pillars of Ruben’s own life.—
Inkoo Kang,
New Yorker,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
As a result, educators are leaving the profession, classrooms are overcrowded, and mental health counselors and other critical supports are disappearing.—
Kevin Vick,
Denver Post,
26 Apr. 2026
-
The Disney Scoop Guy posted a video to Instagram on Thursday, April 23 from the Anaheim theme park that shows an A-frame roof and vertical supports popping up above construction walls just east of Edelweiss Snacks.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Baltimore’s defense received reinforcements both in the trenches and in the secondary.—
Mike Jones,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2026
-
The military site at Kapciamiestis covering some 14,600 hectares will allow battalion and brigade-size drills on the ground at a critical land link used by the alliance to send reinforcements to its eastern flank.—
Milda Seputyte,
Bloomberg,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
One of the bedrocks of Bednar’s coaching philosophy is breaking the season into 10-game segments.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Better yet, those bedrocks are as plentiful as ever.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Sleeves, braces and more available.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
18 Apr. 2026
-
As a child, Smith used crutches and leg braces.—
John Beifuss,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Underpinnings.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underpinnings. Accessed 30 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
