as in sustained
to hold up or serve as a foundation for
the theory of evolution undergirds virtually all of modern biology
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Recent Examples of undergirded
In the summer of 2020, massive riots erupted over the murder of George Floyd, undergirded by a powerful social justice movement.
—
Torrey Snow, Baltimore Sun, 25 Mar. 2026
Hungarian Conceptual artist Dóra Maurer, whose fascination with movement and change undergirded a diverse practice marked by bright hues, simple shapes, and uninhibited experimentation, died on February 14.
—News Desk, Artforum, 22 Feb. 2026
Her wacky asides, undergirded by a subtle poignancy, both gave Guffman a zany edge and helped transform the mockumentary genre itself.
—Paula Mejía, The Atlantic, 4 Feb. 2026
Yet his empire of quiet is undergirded by unease.
—Alex Ross, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2026
This includes the inherently exploitative nature of apparel production that is undergirded by unequal power dynamics between the global North and the global South.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 15 Dec. 2025
Mamdani sailed to victory in the New York City mayor’s race, first in the primary, then in the general election, on a platform of affordability undergirded by good old-fashioned class warfare.
—Abby Phillip, Time, 4 Dec. 2025
Some might say the new Aurora Regional Navigation Campus that opened recently in a former 255-room hotel is undergirded by one of humanity’s seven deadly sins — envy.
—John Aguilar, Denver Post, 28 Nov. 2025
Power Train and Hardware Both trim levels are undergirded by a 94 kWh battery and two motors—one driving the front wheels, the other driving the rears—for all-wheel-drive capability.
—Brett Berk, Robb Report, 18 Sep. 2025
Torrey Snow, Baltimore Sun, 25 Mar. 2026
Hungarian Conceptual artist Dóra Maurer, whose fascination with movement and change undergirded a diverse practice marked by bright hues, simple shapes, and uninhibited experimentation, died on February 14.
—News Desk, Artforum, 22 Feb. 2026
Her wacky asides, undergirded by a subtle poignancy, both gave Guffman a zany edge and helped transform the mockumentary genre itself.
—Paula Mejía, The Atlantic, 4 Feb. 2026
Yet his empire of quiet is undergirded by unease.
—Alex Ross, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2026
This includes the inherently exploitative nature of apparel production that is undergirded by unequal power dynamics between the global North and the global South.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 15 Dec. 2025
Mamdani sailed to victory in the New York City mayor’s race, first in the primary, then in the general election, on a platform of affordability undergirded by good old-fashioned class warfare.
—Abby Phillip, Time, 4 Dec. 2025
Some might say the new Aurora Regional Navigation Campus that opened recently in a former 255-room hotel is undergirded by one of humanity’s seven deadly sins — envy.
—John Aguilar, Denver Post, 28 Nov. 2025
Power Train and Hardware Both trim levels are undergirded by a 94 kWh battery and two motors—one driving the front wheels, the other driving the rears—for all-wheel-drive capability.
—Brett Berk, Robb Report, 18 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for undergirded
Verb
-
Engagement across these positions may be either fleeting or sustained, but is not inherently superficial.—
Manuela Moscoso,
Artforum,
2 Apr. 2026
-
This one came by way of a number of auspicious paths, including one that’s harder to quantify but also needs to be sustained and at least for the moment said something about this group.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
That belief seemed to be bolstered by a disturbing video recovered from Nancy Guthrie’s doorbell camera, showing a person covered from head to toe approaching the house in the middle of the night with a gun, first attempting to cover the camera before removing it entirely.—
Andy Rose,
CNN Money,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The Worldpay deal also bolstered Global Payments presence in Europe and strengthened some of its offerings such as e-commerce capabilities.—
Justin Zacks,
CNBC,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
This year, Leo carried the cross through the fourteen stations that mark Jesus’ suffering and death.—
Paul Elie,
New Yorker,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Ovalle had to be carried of the field.—
Daily News,
Daily News,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Local politicians that previously supported the chorus, either socially or financially, are now fearful of retribution by the governor, Cabrera said.—
Amanda Rosa,
Miami Herald,
1 Apr. 2026
-
But at the time, Brandy's idea to work with Monica on the new record was not supported by most of the people around her.—
Taijuan Moorman,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
There have been myriad filings and motions since the legal process began, including the Mountain West’s motion to dismiss (denied) counterclaims (mostly upheld).—
Jon Wilner,
Mercury News,
4 Apr. 2026
-
The call was upheld after a review, but the White Sox answered in the bottom half against Jeff Hoffman.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Undergirded.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/undergirded. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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