1
as in basis
an immaterial thing upon which something else rests
the underpinnings of the theory have recently been called into question
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in support
a structure that holds up or serves as a foundation for something else
the underpinnings of the bridge were seriously damaged in the collision
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in sustaining
to hold up or serve as a foundation for
the central beliefs that underpin a free society
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of underpinning
Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 19 Jan. 2026
Toyota refined the battery-electric underpinnings through several years of prototype R&D and will launch the BEV in Europe this spring as the first-available new Hilux variant.
—New Atlas, 16 Jan. 2026
Walter Russell Mead, The Atlantic, 24 Jan. 2026
Advertisement These moves reflect a dawning recognition that the old assumptions underpinning global business have been shattered.
—Bobby Ghosh, Time, 18 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for underpinning
Noun
Understanding the physiological underpinnings of movement transforms our view of marine predators from passive actors reacting to the environment to active participants whose internal condition determines the scale, timing, and consequences of their interactions with the ocean.
—Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 19 Jan. 2026
Toyota refined the battery-electric underpinnings through several years of prototype R&D and will launch the BEV in Europe this spring as the first-available new Hilux variant.
—New Atlas, 16 Jan. 2026
Verb
Legal challenges to constitutional doctrines underpinning the modern American administrative state wend their way through increasingly sympathetic courts, promising sweeping changes to the ways our most important institutions act.
—Walter Russell Mead, The Atlantic, 24 Jan. 2026
Advertisement These moves reflect a dawning recognition that the old assumptions underpinning global business have been shattered.
—Bobby Ghosh, Time, 18 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for underpinning
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underpinning
Noun
-
Demonstrations are happening on a near daily basis.—
Taylor Seely,
AZCentral.com,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Her job, which keeps you breathless even from the safety of your chair or sofa, sees her mediating between clients, company management and cleaning staff on a daily basis.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The item will come back for a final vote on March 3, and will require support from at least four of the five members to be placed on the June 2 ballot.—
Sierra Lopez,
Mercury News,
12 Feb. 2026
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Polling shows support for photo ID requirements in elections is widespread in both political parties.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
12 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Freezing temperatures play an important role in regulating plant, animal, and insect life cycles, replenishing snow pack that supplies fresh water, and sustaining snow and ice needed for winter recreation and local economies.—
Mary Wasson,
Austin American Statesman,
11 Feb. 2026
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According to those reports, during her arrest in December, she was beaten repeatedly with wooden sticks and batons and dragged across the ground by her hair, sustaining injuries that left open wounds on her head.—
Jomana Karadsheh,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
His hands-on experience, combined with his academic background (PhD and DBA), has formed the foundation of his particular coaching style.—
Jason Phillips,
USA Today,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Since 2020, the Greater Milwaukee Foundation has invested $41 million into the ThriveOn King building, grants to neighborhood nonprofits and small business loans to entrepreneurs located in the corridor, according to Jeremy Podolski, a spokesperson for the foundation.—
Everett Eaton,
jsonline.com,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The partnership builds on earlier reinforcement learning work, including the Spot Reinforcement Learning Researcher Kit, which enabled record-setting running speeds for the quadruped robot, reports Humanoids Daily.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Jones, who's been starting in Gordon's spot, will already be part of the call for reinforcements.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In a January 16 court filing supporting criminal charges against the two men, the DOJ asserted Aljorna was the one driving the vehicle.—
Emma Tucker,
CNN Money,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Eco effort Deeply committed to sea turtle conservation, Four Seasons Resort Nevis has partnered with the Sea Turtle Conservancy for over 15 years to educate and raise awareness while supporting research on migration patterns and species recovery.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The ability to make something out of nothing may seem uniquely human — a bedrock of creativity that’s led to new kinds of art, music and more.—
Adithi Ramakrishnan,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Feb. 2026
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Romero’s partnership with Micky van de Ven was the bedrock of Spurs’ success in last season’s Europa League.—
Jay Harris,
New York Times,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
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He was said to have been carrying a twenty-five-litre backpack made by Ozark Trail, a brand sold primarily at Walmart.—
Paige Williams,
New Yorker,
14 Feb. 2026
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According to federal authorities, Morales Tejada in October 2023 was convicted in Superior Court in Connecticut on charges of carrying a pistol without a permit and first-degree failure to appear.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Underpinning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underpinning. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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