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 latest comments inject further uncertainty into an agency that provides critical data that underpins the US economy.
—
Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2025
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
Amid the chaos of revolutionary France, one man’s mathematical obsession gave way to a calculation that now underpins much of mathematics and physics.
—Shalma Wegsman, Quanta Magazine, 3 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
Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2025
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
Amid the chaos of revolutionary France, one man’s mathematical obsession gave way to a calculation that now underpins much of mathematics and physics.
—Shalma Wegsman, Quanta Magazine, 3 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underpins
Verb
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In addition to providing a safety net, Medicaid prevents higher downstream costs, sustains employment and independence, and strengthens communities in ways that benefit the entire economy.—
Our Place,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 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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This adaptability supports a variety of scientific and technological advancements, contributing to the future of space exploration.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Sep. 2025
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Caracas denied the allegation, but it is widely believed that the Cartel de los Soles—the Cartel of the Suns—drug organization is led by the Venezuelan armed forces and controls or at least supports Tren de Aragua.—
Gordon G. Chang,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Authorities identified Tyler Robinson as Charlie Kirk‘s alleged assassin and charged him with murder, which carries the possibility of the death penalty.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
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Repole’s cautionary advice carries significant weight given his impressive business track record.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Combined with Yuki Kajiura and Go Shiina’s score, this soundscape bolsters the fights and emotional flashbacks alike with no degree of subtlety.—
David Opie,
IndieWire,
10 Sep. 2025
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The researchers’ conclusion about the importance of Zone 0 clearing bolsters the foundation for the new regulation mandating the five-foot clearance in areas of very high fire hazard, experts said.—
Ethan Baron,
Mercury News,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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As a public institution, UVU upholds First Amendment rights and fosters an environment where ideas – popular or controversial – can be exchanged freely, energetically, and civilly.—
Bill Hutchinson,
ABC News,
15 Sep. 2025
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If the appeals court upholds the block, the dispute is likely to advance to the Supreme Court.—
Diane Brady,
Fortune,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Underpins.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underpins. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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