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 principle underpins everything from aircraft design to protective armor.
—
Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 12 Jan. 2026
Lesotho, briefly hit with steep US tariffs last year, still faces uncertainty over the future of AGOA, the preferential US-Africa trade pact that underpins much of its export economy.
—Yinka Adegoke, semafor.com, 9 Jan. 2026
The same deep learning technology that underpins ChatGPT can be used to teach the robots how to walk, use a hand or fold laundry.
—Kif Leswing, CNBC, 9 Jan. 2026
Molinaroli’s strategy sees philanthropy as a mechanism to strengthen the talent infrastructure that underpins economic growth.
—Connie Etemadi, Charlotte Observer, 7 Jan. 2026
This belief that underpins his critique of visual dominance in both artmaking and public engagement.
—Hung Duong, Artforum, 1 Jan. 2026
As discussed with the World Economic Forum, erasing this labor supply hollows out the tax base that underpins the American middle class.
—Katica Roy, Fortune, 31 Dec. 2025
This idea that money today is better than a promise of money tomorrow is what underpins all borrowing and lending.
—Big Think, 5 Nov. 2025
The key document that underpins the project is the transcript of the police interviews, which clearly are not AI, although tech still played a part, with Spirit using ChatGPT for scripting research alongside human editors.
—Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 4 Nov. 2025
Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 12 Jan. 2026
Lesotho, briefly hit with steep US tariffs last year, still faces uncertainty over the future of AGOA, the preferential US-Africa trade pact that underpins much of its export economy.
—Yinka Adegoke, semafor.com, 9 Jan. 2026
The same deep learning technology that underpins ChatGPT can be used to teach the robots how to walk, use a hand or fold laundry.
—Kif Leswing, CNBC, 9 Jan. 2026
Molinaroli’s strategy sees philanthropy as a mechanism to strengthen the talent infrastructure that underpins economic growth.
—Connie Etemadi, Charlotte Observer, 7 Jan. 2026
This belief that underpins his critique of visual dominance in both artmaking and public engagement.
—Hung Duong, Artforum, 1 Jan. 2026
As discussed with the World Economic Forum, erasing this labor supply hollows out the tax base that underpins the American middle class.
—Katica Roy, Fortune, 31 Dec. 2025
This idea that money today is better than a promise of money tomorrow is what underpins all borrowing and lending.
—Big Think, 5 Nov. 2025
The key document that underpins the project is the transcript of the police interviews, which clearly are not AI, although tech still played a part, with Spirit using ChatGPT for scripting research alongside human editors.
—Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 4 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underpins
Verb
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That is the creative energy that crosses everything together, that sustains and fosters growth and enhances everything in life.—
Andrew McGowan,
Variety,
6 Jan. 2026
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The electorate of this country often embraces the pendulum effect — and that chance of a swing in our political fortunes sustains my optimism for a future of peace and goodwill towards men.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Parents are encouraged to participate in their baby’s care through techniques like kangaroo care (skin-to-skin contact), which helps stabilize vital signs and supports development.—
MemorialCare Medical Group,
Oc Register,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Beyond still photography, the sensor supports 8K video recording at 30 frames per second.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Yasmin Espinoza, whose grandmother was deported despite being born in Arizona, now carries her passport everywhere.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
11 Jan. 2026
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Rams running backs Kyren Williams and Blake Corum combined for 102 rushing yards on 24 carries.—
Mike Kaye
Updated January 11,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The approval of the waiver bolsters McMahon's mission to reduce the federal government's role in education nationwide.—
Arthur Jones II,
ABC News,
8 Jan. 2026
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Taylor’s arrival bolsters the KDFW weather staff after some recent losses.—
Travis Pinson,
Dallas Morning News,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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This upholds an earlier injunction from Jackson to ensure the agency would continue to exist as congressionally mandated, and to stop efforts to shutter the CFPB, including through layoffs.—
Stephan Bisaha,
NPR,
30 Dec. 2025
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If the Court upholds the rules, the existing anti-corruption framework remains intact.—
Robert Alexander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Underpins.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underpins. Accessed 17 Jan. 2026.
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