underpins

Definition of underpinsnext
present tense third-person singular of underpin
as in sustains
to hold up or serve as a foundation for the central beliefs that underpin a free society

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of underpins The Environmental Protection Agency on Thursday plans to repeal the legal framework that underpins its power to regulate greenhouse gas emissions. Evan Bush, NBC news, 10 Feb. 2026 In Central Florida, those impacts would be felt quickly along the I-4 corridor, where trucking underpins port operations, tourism supply chains, and the daily movement of goods between Tampa, Orlando and the Space Coast. Bhupinder Kaur, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Feb. 2026 Grace joining Lionsgate also underpins how the arrival and evolution of generative AI in Hollywood has major studios and streamers looking for a playbook on how to work with the new technology. Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 5 Feb. 2026 Her daughter explained that her work helped refine the accuracy of satellite data that now underpins technologies from smartphones to navigation systems in cars and aircraft. Jacques Kelly, Baltimore Sun, 2 Feb. 2026 The film also ends with the Guns N’ Roses song Sweet Child O’ Mine, and, much like its 1987 vintage, the song ties in wonderfully with Char’s Counterattack heritage, which now clearly underpins Gundam Hathaway. Ollie Barder, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026 The company added that its Europa expansion underpins Innovera’s global growth goals, too—supporting efforts toward faster iteration and higher production capacity—as intended for the premium automotive, apparel and interiors markets, among other adjacent applications. Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 29 Jan. 2026 The Puma deal further underpins Anta's global expansion and multi-brand growth strategy, said Metzler analyst Felix Dennl, adding that the market will likely view the investment as a boost to Puma's ongoing turnaround efforts. Anniek Bao,elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 27 Jan. 2026 Across sectors—from agriculture and manufacturing to cloud computing and data centers—access to water underpins these systems that companies rely on to operate at scale. Kara Hurst, Time, 23 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underpins
Verb
  • Prohibition undermines personal liberty, sends billions in potential revenue to other states, and sustains dangerous black markets instead of replacing them with a safe, regulated system.
    Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
  • Medicaid exists to provide access to health care, not to penalize the unpaid labor that sustains families and communities.
    Emily D. Tisdale, STAT, 12 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Nexus One now supports job-aware observability, allowing operators to correlate network behavior directly with GPU workloads.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 11 Feb. 2026
  • Strategic movement, however, preserves neuromuscular connections, supports healthy blood flow, and helps the body maintain strength and mobility.
    Dana Santas, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Unlike most hydroelectric plants, it is not located at the base of the dam, but carries water down about 1,000 feet in elevation to generate more water pressure and electricity.
    Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 14 Feb. 2026
  • While smoking is widely understood to pose health risks, the habit also carries steep financial consequences.
    Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 14 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Law enforcement agencies cite the automatic license-plate readers, or ALPRs, as a powerful tool that bolsters their ability to locate and stop suspects who may be on their way to committing their next assault or robbery.
    John Aguilar, Denver Post, 10 Feb. 2026
  • The proposal bolsters a 2017 law generally barring cities from passing laws to limit short-term rentals.
    Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 10 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Can anyone claim that the current policy upholds this principle?
    Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 11 Feb. 2026
  • In a league that still recites diversity statements and upholds Rooney Rule interview requirements, no Black head coaches were hired.
    Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 2 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Underpins.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underpins. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

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