1
as in foundations
an immaterial thing upon which something else rests
the underpinnings of the theory have recently been called into question
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of underpinnings
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
Lexus, for example, shares some underpinnings with Toyota brand vehicles made in Kentucky and Indiana.
—Robert Ferris, CNBC, 24 Feb. 2026
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
Lexus, for example, shares some underpinnings with Toyota brand vehicles made in Kentucky and Indiana.
—Robert Ferris, CNBC, 24 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underpinnings
Noun
-
The Associated Press’ climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 Apr. 2026
-
And there’s been —the foundations are there, and everybody goes to Washington.—
Alex Crippen,
CNBC,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Snow accumulations in the valleys of 1 to 4 inches with the higher amounts likely in the western shores of Lake Tahoe.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
31 Mar. 2026
-
On this week’s episode, how the sweet fruit became an American staple because of one entrepreneur who took business off US shores, expanding the country’s economic reach and influence.—
Kyana Moghadam,
NPR,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Plan a stop in bustling Cebu City to visit the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebu and Magellan’s Cross Pavilion—cultural cornerstones that paved the way to the propagation of Christianity as the country’s most dominant religion.—
Condé Nast Traveler,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Once visited by emperors seeking clarity and samurai tending to battle wounds, these onsen remain cornerstones of Japanese culture.—
Kelsey Eisen,
Robb Report,
19 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
For 80 years, the Navy Exchange Service Command (NEXCOM) has been one of those indispensable pillars of service.—
Robert J Bianchi,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Steel support pillars driven into the caves have caused rust and iron pollution in the water, and falling stalactites are making some cenotes unsafe to explore.—
Ryan Brennan,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Olathe Schools shifted $44 million from its general fund to cover special education costs last year — a strain the superintendent says now forces staff reductions, leading to larger class sizes and fewer supports for every student, not just those with special needs.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Students enrolled in public schools can also benefit from scholarships that help pay for tutoring, specialized services, learning technology, transportation or other educational supports.—
Claudia Nachtigal,
Baltimore Sun,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The captain had reportedly appealed to the sultan for reinforcements, hoping to fortify Goa and, from that stronghold, expel the Portuguese from India so that the spice trade might once again flow via the Red Sea route toward Mecca and Cairo.—
Sanat Pai RaikarAll,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
6 Apr. 2026
-
That same week, the first installment of new Gang Suppression Force reinforcements arrived in Haiti, according to the force’s X account.—
Caitlin Stephen Hu,
CNN Money,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Better yet, those bedrocks are as plentiful as ever.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Nov. 2025
-
The bedrocks of healthy behavior are your biggest assets for staying disease-free.—
Matt Fuchs,
Time,
24 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
One look at Pacas’ fresh face, complete with a smile still full of braces, and those years may not seem so far away for this 19-year-old.—
Maya Georgi,
Rolling Stone,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Five interchangeable tips, including two standard jet heads, an orthodontic tip ideal for braces, a periodontal jet tip that's gentle on gums, and a tongue cleaner.—
Jailynn Taylor,
Allure,
24 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Underpinnings.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underpinnings. Accessed 9 Apr. 2026.
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