Synonyms of underpinnings

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

• foundations
• cornerstones
• bases
• bases
• bedrocks
• grounds
• roots
• keystones
• premises
• warps
• theories
• footings
• justifications
• assumptions
• frameworks
• warp and woofs
• infrastructures
• groundworks
• presumptions
• bottoms
• cores
• presuppositions
• shores
• supports
• rationales
• essences
• substructures
• props
• substrata
• kernels
• buttresses
• foci
• backbones
• mounts
• anchorages
• beds
• theses
• centers
• hearts
• bulwarks
• warrants
• braces
• touchstones
• stays
• suppositions
• nuclei
• hubs
• seats
• eyes
• souls
• quintessences

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

• shores
• pillars
• supports
• foundations
• reinforcements
• props
• mountings
• braces
• mounts
• buttresses
• spurs
• stays
• columns
• arches
• trusses
• brackets
• crutches
• shorings
• bolsters
• bearings
• pedestals
• cantilevers
• frames
• stands
• pilasters
• struts
• stakes
• bases
• girders
• pegs
• stilts
• posts
• stanchions

Example Sentences

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