as in sustains
to hold up or serve as a foundation for
the central beliefs that underpin a free society
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Recent Examples of underpins
The episode made lots of people on Merseyside conclude FSG cared only about its asset, rather than the club’s place in the community that underpins their identity.
—
Simon Hughes, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
So complex was this undertaking that the project took seven years, launching in 1969 and missing its original plan to launch for the company’s centennial celebration in 1965 — coincidentally the year USM patented the ingenious ball joint that underpins its USM Haller modular furniture system.
—Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 4 Sep. 2025
Evolutionary biology shows that reciprocal exchange underpins survival.
—Scott Hutcheson, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Cooper underpins that search by pin-pointing the exact location of the pain that drives Springsteen’s artistry.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 30 Aug. 2025
This self-continuity is one of the things that underpins actual agency—and with it, the ability to form lasting commitments, maintain consistent values, and be held accountable.
—ArsTechnica, 28 Aug. 2025
Our deep relationship with fire — from cooking our food to heating our homes — underpins both our evolutionary successes and our current climate challenges.
—Peter Brannen, Big Think, 28 Aug. 2025
This underpins today’s emphasis on precision rather than blanket hormone endorsements.
—Jason Phillips, USA Today, 23 Aug. 2025
The Cherokee uses the new STLA Large architecture, which also underpins the Jeep Wagoneer S, Dodge Charger and Charger Daytona, and the upcoming Recon electric SUV.
—Mark Phelan, Freep.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Simon Hughes, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
So complex was this undertaking that the project took seven years, launching in 1969 and missing its original plan to launch for the company’s centennial celebration in 1965 — coincidentally the year USM patented the ingenious ball joint that underpins its USM Haller modular furniture system.
—Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 4 Sep. 2025
Evolutionary biology shows that reciprocal exchange underpins survival.
—Scott Hutcheson, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Cooper underpins that search by pin-pointing the exact location of the pain that drives Springsteen’s artistry.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 30 Aug. 2025
This self-continuity is one of the things that underpins actual agency—and with it, the ability to form lasting commitments, maintain consistent values, and be held accountable.
—ArsTechnica, 28 Aug. 2025
Our deep relationship with fire — from cooking our food to heating our homes — underpins both our evolutionary successes and our current climate challenges.
—Peter Brannen, Big Think, 28 Aug. 2025
This underpins today’s emphasis on precision rather than blanket hormone endorsements.
—Jason Phillips, USA Today, 23 Aug. 2025
The Cherokee uses the new STLA Large architecture, which also underpins the Jeep Wagoneer S, Dodge Charger and Charger Daytona, and the upcoming Recon electric SUV.
—Mark Phelan, Freep.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underpins
Verb
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Expertise may impress, but curiosity sustains and compounds over time.—
Tim Maurer,
Forbes.com,
31 Aug. 2025
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At high elevations, cold air turns heavy monsoon precipitation into snowfall that sustains the ice.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
30 Aug. 2025
Verb
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In addition to the men’s side, Matt Hargreaves, the club’s director of football negotiations, also significantly supports recruitment in the women’s team.—
Charlotte Harpur,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
-
The Future Hybrid System features a pre-chamber ignition and supports gasoline, E85 ethanol, M100 methanol, and synthetic fuels, with market introduction targeted for 2027.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In addition to Riley’s output, Gaines had 98 yards on 14 carries, and Sherrod had 42 yards on just seven rushes.—
Jim Keyser,
Idaho Statesman,
6 Sep. 2025
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Keondre Dixon ran for a pair of scores and had a team-high 13 carries.—
Cody Thorn,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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On the contrary, our struggle bolsters your right to your identity.—
Quispe López,
Them.,
29 Aug. 2025
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This growth trend is expected to persist, with revenues anticipated to increase by an average of 25% each year over the next three years, which bolsters the current valuation.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
22 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The Collective Bargaining Agreement between the NFL and the NFLPA upholds the right of a certified player agent to negotiate on behalf of his client.—
Steve Silverman,
Forbes.com,
27 Aug. 2025
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If the high court upholds her removal, the case would be transferred to another district attorney, who could either drop it or revisit Willis’s charges.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
26 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Underpins.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underpins. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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