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 critical role underpins the nation’s defense as the ultimate security guarantee, and at least one of the boats is deployed in an unknown location at sea every minute of every day, according to a press release.
—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2025
The major cloud computing service, which underpins much of the web and every day online tools, went offline due to a problem with one of its core database products.
—Kayla Hayempour, NBC news, 20 Oct. 2025
Over the course of a conversation that spanned more than a million words and 300 hours, the bot encouraged Brooks to adopt grandiose beliefs, validated his delusions, and led him to believe the technological infrastructure that underpins the world was in imminent danger.
—Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 19 Oct. 2025
This exclusivity protects the brand’s quality and underpins its global exclusivity.
—Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 19 Oct. 2025
Permafrost - or ground that is frozen year-round - underpins many of these villages and is thawing, leading to rapid erosion and instability.
—NPR, 17 Oct. 2025
Sustainability underpins everything Brazilian mill Vicunha produces.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 14 Oct. 2025
In something like Chocolate Sheet Cake With Brown Butter Frosting, vanilla extract underpins the deep flavors of the cocoa while enhancing the nutty flavor of the frosting.
—Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 Oct. 2025
In the Israeli and Jewish ethos, this is a supreme moral and operational duty that underpins the Israeli fighting spirit and national resilience.
—Ehud Barak, Time, 10 Oct. 2025
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2025
The major cloud computing service, which underpins much of the web and every day online tools, went offline due to a problem with one of its core database products.
—Kayla Hayempour, NBC news, 20 Oct. 2025
Over the course of a conversation that spanned more than a million words and 300 hours, the bot encouraged Brooks to adopt grandiose beliefs, validated his delusions, and led him to believe the technological infrastructure that underpins the world was in imminent danger.
—Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 19 Oct. 2025
This exclusivity protects the brand’s quality and underpins its global exclusivity.
—Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 19 Oct. 2025
Permafrost - or ground that is frozen year-round - underpins many of these villages and is thawing, leading to rapid erosion and instability.
—NPR, 17 Oct. 2025
Sustainability underpins everything Brazilian mill Vicunha produces.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 14 Oct. 2025
In something like Chocolate Sheet Cake With Brown Butter Frosting, vanilla extract underpins the deep flavors of the cocoa while enhancing the nutty flavor of the frosting.
—Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 Oct. 2025
In the Israeli and Jewish ethos, this is a supreme moral and operational duty that underpins the Israeli fighting spirit and national resilience.
—Ehud Barak, Time, 10 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underpins
Verb
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Cultural storytelling builds awareness; engagement sustains relevance, and strategic digital integration turns influence into sales.—
Li Jun,
Footwear News,
2 Nov. 2025
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But what sustains this spirit is the tangible, down-to-earth life on the ground.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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It’s made from 100 percent cashmere certified by The Good Cashmere Standard organization, which supports responsible production in Mongolia.—
Alesandra Dubin,
Travel + Leisure,
31 Oct. 2025
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Attest data supports concerns around mental health, with a quarter of parents admitting their child struggles often.—
Hannah Silverman,
Parents,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The only thing that carries any water is making up something to attack Gretchen.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
31 Oct. 2025
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Freedom of speech carries a responsibility to exercise it in a manner that respects the safety and rights of others.—
Dan Gooding,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Novartis bolsters treatments for rare muscle disorders With this acquisition, Novartis is expanding into areas with limited treatment options, while strengthening its presence in the rare disease landscape.—
Reuters,
USA Today,
26 Oct. 2025
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Their recent trend of going 5-1 against the spread after a win further bolsters their position.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
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These attacks on universities are attempts to control thought, subdue social movements advocating for change and promote an orthodoxy that upholds those in power.—
Elizabeth Anne Wood,
The Conversation,
21 Oct. 2025
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The law upholds that commitment.—
Kaitlyn Schallhorn,
Oc Register,
21 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Underpins.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underpins. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
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