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underpinnings

noun , plural of underpinning

Synonyms and Antonyms of underpinnings

1 an immaterial thing upon which something else rests

the underpinnings of the theory have recently been called into question

Synonyms of underpinnings

bases, bases, bedrocks, bottoms, cornerstones, footings, foundations, grounds, groundworks, keystones, roots, warps, warp and woofs

Words Related to underpinnings

anchorages, beds, braces, bulwarks, buttresses, frameworks, infrastructures, mounts, props, shores, stays, substrata, substructures, supports

assumptions, justifications, premises (also premisses), presumptions, presuppositions, rationales, suppositions, theories, theses, warrants

backbones, centers, cores, cornerstones, eyes, foci (also focuses), hearts, hubs, kernels, keystones, nuclei (also nucleuses), seats

essences, quintessences, souls, touchstones

2 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 of underpinnings

braces, buttresses, mounts, mountings, props, reinforcements, shores, spurs, stays, supports

Words Related to underpinnings

columns, pedestals, pilasters, pillars

arches, bolsters, brackets, cantilevers, girders

crutches, pegs, posts, stakes, stanchions, stands, stilts, struts, trusses

bases, foundations, frames

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Britannica English: Translation of underpinnings for Arabic speakers

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