as in sustained
to hold up or serve as a foundation for
the central beliefs that underpin a free society
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Recent Examples of underpinned
China’s reputation for technocratic pragmatism underpinned the country’s economic success.
—
Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 1 Apr. 2026
From 1868 pastoralism was underpinned by a pearling industry that used Aboriginal women and, subsequently, Malay, Japanese, and other Asian sojourners as divers.
—Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Mar. 2026
The role is also underpinned by safeguarding training, DBS checks, and codes of conduct.
—Laura Williamson, New York Times, 16 Mar. 2026
Missing from that tally are fees paid to four law firms whose work underpinned the removal process.
—Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 15 Mar. 2026
In January, the Defense Department withdrew a federal regulation that underpinned the mandate, according to Stars and Stripes.
—Maria Aspan, NPR, 14 Mar. 2026
At the same time, my intimate awareness of the many challenges, setbacks, and disasters of postcolonial nation building during the cold war precluded the reflexive Western attitude toward Iran of fear and loathing underpinned by near-total ignorance.
—Pankaj Mishra, The New York Review of Books, 13 Mar. 2026
Last month, the EPA repealed the endangerment finding, which affirmed the dangers of greenhouse gas emissions and underpinned the agency’s ability to regulate those emissions from vehicles.
—Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2026
The facility covers 32,000 sq ft and is equipped for cutting-edge VFX and generative virtual effects work, underpinned by a hybrid cloud setup.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 12 Mar. 2026
Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 1 Apr. 2026
From 1868 pastoralism was underpinned by a pearling industry that used Aboriginal women and, subsequently, Malay, Japanese, and other Asian sojourners as divers.
—Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Mar. 2026
The role is also underpinned by safeguarding training, DBS checks, and codes of conduct.
—Laura Williamson, New York Times, 16 Mar. 2026
Missing from that tally are fees paid to four law firms whose work underpinned the removal process.
—Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 15 Mar. 2026
In January, the Defense Department withdrew a federal regulation that underpinned the mandate, according to Stars and Stripes.
—Maria Aspan, NPR, 14 Mar. 2026
At the same time, my intimate awareness of the many challenges, setbacks, and disasters of postcolonial nation building during the cold war precluded the reflexive Western attitude toward Iran of fear and loathing underpinned by near-total ignorance.
—Pankaj Mishra, The New York Review of Books, 13 Mar. 2026
Last month, the EPA repealed the endangerment finding, which affirmed the dangers of greenhouse gas emissions and underpinned the agency’s ability to regulate those emissions from vehicles.
—Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2026
The facility covers 32,000 sq ft and is equipped for cutting-edge VFX and generative virtual effects work, underpinned by a hybrid cloud setup.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 12 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underpinned
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
-
But Kiraly is not convinced the president’s budget proposal would lend enough support — even for the projects that Isaacman has personally bolstered.—
Jackie Wattles,
CNN Money,
5 Apr. 2026
-
The lineup is loaded, bolstered by South Carolina commit Bella Bourque (junior shortstop) and UMass commit Aniyah Bailey (junior catcher).—
Tom Mulherin,
Boston Herald,
4 Apr. 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
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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
“Underpinned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underpinned. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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