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 Otherwise, the underpinnings are perfectly sorted. — Utkarsh Sood june 27, New Atlas, 27 June 2026 His ambitious tasting menu has high-concept underpinnings, meditating on themes like the progression of the seasons. — Jim Dobson, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026 Li is magnificently photographed throughout and is as alluring as the part demands, but Cat has no evident personality — nor does Flint, leaving Huston playing emotionally tortured but with no meaningful underpinnings. — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 22 May 2026 In a post on X, Reeves underscored the ideological underpinnings to the ruling’s potential implications. — Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underpinnings
  1. foundations
  2. shores
  3. cornerstones
  4. pillars
  5. bedrocks
  6. supports
  7. reinforcements
  8. braces
Noun
  • Their foundations focus on addressing a range of issues including early childhood education, food security, and health and economic programs for women and children.
    — Tom Huddleston Jr., CNBC, 15 July 2026
  • Buffett also traditionally gives additional gifts to his family foundations around Thanksgiving each year.
    — Josh Funk, Fortune, 15 July 2026
Definition of foundations
Noun
  • Peter the Great’s dream The Sea of Azov is an inland sea that sits between the southern shores of Ukraine and Russia, a kind of an appendix to the bigger Black Sea.
    — Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 15 July 2026
  • The action mercifully settles into a less disorienting rhythm before too long, but the choppy prologue at least has the benefit of conveying the tense disarray that has gripped the shores of Ithaca in the decades since King Odysseus left for battle.
    — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 15 July 2026
Definition of shores
Noun
  • Food and drink Seasonality and local sourcing are the cornerstones of Indigo, the main restaurant that sits on a mezzanine floor overlooking the lobby bar.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 July 2026
  • Curriculum reform was one of the cornerstones of Louisiana’s rise in literacy achievement.
    — Thibaut Delloue, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 June 2026
Definition of cornerstones
Noun
  • Still, the pieces of ceiling trim dedicated to the pillars of courage and trust remained missing, a nod perhaps to the traits most easily lost when disaster strikes – and most needed to rebuild.
    — Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
  • The only way to preserve our republic is to strengthen the pillars of our present with the mortar of our past.
    — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026
Definition of pillars
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
  • The discovery of the buckling columns launched a major effort to shore up — or reinforce — the building’s weakest points, with crews using emergency jacks and installing new steel supports.
    — Gloria Pazmino, CNN Money, 11 July 2026
  • The buckling occurred on the 21st floor of the newer structure, and crews have installed temporary supports as officials investigate.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 10 July 2026
Definition of supports
Noun
  • The Malian army said in a statement on social media on Friday that a large logistics convoy of reinforcements arrived the previous night from Gao to Anéfis.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 10 July 2026
  • In recent seasons, the Phillies have routinely searched for outfield reinforcements without any newcomer really seizing a long-term everyday opportunity.
    — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026
Definition of reinforcements
Noun
  • After opening with a scoreless draw against Cape Verde, the reigning European champions have scored eight goals in the past three games, with Mikel Oyarzabal notching a pair of braces.
    — Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • Volunteers are also printing neck braces, IV bag holders, and other medical equipment.
    — Tibisay Zea, Christian Science Monitor, 30 June 2026
Definition of braces

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 18 Jul. 2026.

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