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
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Recent Examples of underpinnings
There are logical reasons that can be explained by the mathematical and computational underpinnings of modern-era AI.
—
Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
Next up, the underpinnings, which are actually pretty solid for its class.
—New Atlas, 15 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
All that said, heavy underpinnings and armor plating cost weight.
—Andrew P. Collins, The Drive, 12 Mar. 2026
Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
Next up, the underpinnings, which are actually pretty solid for its class.
—New Atlas, 15 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
All that said, heavy underpinnings and armor plating cost weight.
—Andrew P. Collins, The Drive, 12 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underpinnings
Noun
-
The erosion of the ground compounded the impacts of the flooding, collapsing the foundations of homes, schools and infrastructure like wastewater systems.—
Ella Nilsen,
CNN Money,
17 May 2026
-
The Moon in Taurus moves through your 4th House of Home, drawing attention to comfort, family, and emotional foundations.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
Set the scene The camp is a 30 minute drive from Novolazarevskaya Air Base located at the southeastern tip of the Schirmacher oasis on the shores of Lake Stantsionnoye.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 May 2026
-
Growing up in India, Shubhangi Seth had always imagined her dream wedding on the mesmerizing shores of Italy’s Lake Como, ringed by stunning alpine peaks and piercing blue water.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
21 May 2026
Noun
-
Atlan-Jackson was mulling his next steps after an attempt to build a European distribution group under his Backup Media banner, with France’s The Jokers Films and Benelux’s Cinéart as its first cornerstones, hit the buffers due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the rise of streamers.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
12 May 2026
-
At the bare minimum, those are the most important building blocks required to be a true contender, the franchise cornerstones that become a rising tide for everyone else.—
Dom Luszczyszyn,
New York Times,
11 May 2026
Noun
-
Joining me to discuss rising production costs, shifts in viewing preferences, and the demise of one of the pillars of late night television is USA TODAY TV Critic Kelly Lawler.—
Dana Taylor,
USA Today,
19 May 2026
-
The library is a one-story brick building with two white pillars up front sticking out like tusks, smooth and thin.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
Officials removed older metal supports to make the monument's interior fully visible, and future plans include installing the tomb's monumental double-leaf Macedonian marble door and restoring parts of the sphinx sculptures that once guarded the entrance.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
18 May 2026
-
Keeping productions local supports crews, businesses, and families who rely on the industry.—
Dana Feldman,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2026
Noun
-
Bickerstaff occasionally turned to Paul Reed for reinforcements, even benching Duren for Reed for the entirety of the fourth quarter and overtime in Game 5.—
Hunter Patterson,
New York Times,
18 May 2026
-
This team needs several reinforcements — at least 4-5 starting-caliber players.—
Daniel Sperry,
Kansas City Star,
13 May 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
-
Of particular concern are the rules that unravel Biden-era regulations like the restriction on pistol-stabilizing braces.—
Jaclyn Diaz,
NPR,
20 May 2026
-
When an undercover agent posed as a Medicare beneficiary, they were shunted to an overseas call center, where representatives pushed them to agree to order multiple braces, according to the Justice Department.—
Kerry Breen,
CBS News,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Underpinnings.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underpinnings. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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