1
as in foundations
an immaterial thing upon which something else rests
the underpinnings of the theory have recently been called into question
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in shores
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of underpinnings
Democrats say the administration has ignored requests from Democrats to provide more information about the strikes or details about their legal underpinnings.
—
Alexander Bolton, The Hill, 19 Sep. 2025
But without those first two underpinnings, none of those values can be protected.
—Koray Köse, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
This is a comedy with grim underpinnings, set in a society where violence seems to be the only answer.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 18 Sep. 2025
Other underpinnings, like the suspension setup, ground clearance, seat height, etc, are all under wraps at the moment.
—New Atlas, 18 Sep. 2025
The sway of the founder CAIO Ganju, previously the company’s chief technology officer, started his AI journey in 2018, doing deep dives on neural networks and the mathematical underpinnings.
—Sage Lazzaro, Fortune, 3 Sep. 2025
The writings left behind by the shooter in Wednesday's deadly attack at a Minnesota church have many of the underpinnings of a troubled person — and leave just as much confusion over why the mass shooting occurred, USA TODAY reports.
—Leah Olajide, Freep.com, 30 Aug. 2025
One person familiar with the situation who asked not to be named says that the structure of Natcast is typical of public-private partnerships and that its underpinnings were thoroughly reviewed by the Commerce Department before its establishment.
—IEEE Spectrum, 27 Aug. 2025
Imbued in the theological underpinnings of the Abrahamic traditions is the archetype of a false messiah who appears near the end times, called Dajjal in Islam, Antichrist in Christianity, who for some will seem a saviour, but for others will herald destruction.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 15 Aug. 2025
Alexander Bolton, The Hill, 19 Sep. 2025
But without those first two underpinnings, none of those values can be protected.
—Koray Köse, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
This is a comedy with grim underpinnings, set in a society where violence seems to be the only answer.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 18 Sep. 2025
Other underpinnings, like the suspension setup, ground clearance, seat height, etc, are all under wraps at the moment.
—New Atlas, 18 Sep. 2025
The sway of the founder CAIO Ganju, previously the company’s chief technology officer, started his AI journey in 2018, doing deep dives on neural networks and the mathematical underpinnings.
—Sage Lazzaro, Fortune, 3 Sep. 2025
The writings left behind by the shooter in Wednesday's deadly attack at a Minnesota church have many of the underpinnings of a troubled person — and leave just as much confusion over why the mass shooting occurred, USA TODAY reports.
—Leah Olajide, Freep.com, 30 Aug. 2025
One person familiar with the situation who asked not to be named says that the structure of Natcast is typical of public-private partnerships and that its underpinnings were thoroughly reviewed by the Commerce Department before its establishment.
—IEEE Spectrum, 27 Aug. 2025
Imbued in the theological underpinnings of the Abrahamic traditions is the archetype of a false messiah who appears near the end times, called Dajjal in Islam, Antichrist in Christianity, who for some will seem a saviour, but for others will herald destruction.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 15 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underpinnings
Noun
-
While current makeup trends have skewed more dewy than matte, the best powder foundations still have a place in everyday makeup routines thanks to their fail-proof application—just pat on, and go!—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Right now, as City attempt to establish their defensive foundations, Khusanov’s high-stakes defending is, oddly, their most reliable solution to a problem position.—
Jordan Campbell,
New York Times,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Described as semi-autobiographical, the play follows a year in the life of college student Josh (Ben Hirschhorn), whose alcoholism has led him from theater school in New York to the shores of a reservoir in his Colorado hometown.—
Chad Jones,
Mercury News,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Now, the decimation of the environment and indigenous people across the world, from the palm oil plantations of Indonesia to the cobalt mines of the Democratic Republic of Congo, has reached the shores of Great Nicobar.—
M. Rajshekhar,
Time,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Social interactions during meals and exercise are basic cornerstones of the Mediterranean style of eating.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN Money,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Historical memory and preservation are the cornerstones of the two-year, $25 million restoration of the 100-year-old Freedom Tower on Biscayne Boulevard.—
Michelle F. Solomon,
Miami Herald,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Harried enjoyed a colorful green and purple display with vast pillars reaching high into the sky, as well as a subtle green glow as activity began to wane.—
Daisy Dobrijevic,
Space.com,
17 Sep. 2025
-
Through repetition, employees learn that the vision stays constant—only the tactics for achieving these pillars change.—
Charles Towers-Clark,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
These supports also would be integrated in the Administration’s Transforming Episode Accountability Model (TEAM) demonstration model.—
Howard Gleckman,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
-
Changes to food assistance, Medicaid eligibility, and tax credits may reduce critical supports for low-income households.—
Aliss Higham,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The New York Knicks are adding reinforcements to their roster after a stellar playoff run last season.—
Ricardo Klein,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Sep. 2025
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But Bradley is one of several Eagles who could get the call when reinforcements are needed.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Burnout prevention and psychological safety will become the bedrocks of resilience.—
Maman Ibrahim,
Forbes.com,
11 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Real Madrid and Marseille last met back in the 2009-10 group stage, when Cristiano Ronaldo scored braces in both the home and away fixtures.—
Kilty Cleary,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Sep. 2025
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In practice, the change in step functions similarly to certain knee braces, Uhlrich said.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Underpinnings.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underpinnings. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.
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