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
Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Jan. 2025
For a deeper understanding of how Amazon’s Alexa-Rufus integration works and its technological underpinnings, read my companion article on the patent that reveals Amazon's product discovery strategy.
—Kiri Masters, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 4 Dec. 2024
Jensen Huang’s company has become the poster child for all things AI, with its graphics processing units underpinning the technology’s large language models.
—Samantha Subin, CNBC, 3 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for underpinning
Noun
This finding offers important new insight into the evolutionary underpinnings of outer ears, which are typically difficult to study, because cartilage disintegrates over time and does not fossilize like bone.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Jan. 2025
For a deeper understanding of how Amazon’s Alexa-Rufus integration works and its technological underpinnings, read my companion article on the patent that reveals Amazon's product discovery strategy.
—Kiri Masters, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
Verb
There is no better book to give you an insider’s feel for what constitutes the sartorial intelligence underpinning Italian men’s fashion.
—Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 4 Dec. 2024
Jensen Huang’s company has become the poster child for all things AI, with its graphics processing units underpinning the technology’s large language models.
—Samantha Subin, CNBC, 3 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for underpinning
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underpinning
Noun
-
In tossing the suit out, the judge ruled that, whatever merits there might be to the complaints of the plaintiff, Sheila Slaughter Richey, there was no basis for including Showtime Networks in the suit at all, let alone as the sole defendant.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
23 Mar. 2025
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Anyone who is late for a ride (to work or elsewhere) on a regular basis is just lazy and rude.—
Erin Clack,
People.com,
23 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Getting enough sleep improves cognitive function, and maintaining a busy social life provides emotional support.—
Jeffrey Anvari-Clark,
The Conversation,
27 Mar. 2025
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With Google’s support for enterprise integration via cloud platforms and the emergence of domain-specific offshoots like TxGemma, the Gemini 2.5 Pro ecosystem is poised to provide both the general intelligence and the specialized skills that modern enterprises seek.—
Janakiram MSV,
Forbes.com,
27 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The falling birth rate is a concern in terms of sustaining economic development and the provision of support for large numbers of elderly people in the future.—
George Monastiriakos,
Newsweek,
31 Dec. 2024
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While many artists can easily build a brand and fandom on social media, and then release music across streaming platforms without a major record label deal, managing and sustaining an entire career takes more know-how.—
Andrea Zarczynski,
Forbes,
31 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
With The Life List, Allen has laid the foundation for a similar path to success.—
Maureen Lee Lenker,
EW.com,
29 Mar. 2025
-
Lay good foundations, instill good values, spend lots of time with them.—
Toria Sheffield,
People.com,
29 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Turing Award: The award, often called the Nobel Prize of computing, was given to Andrew Barto and Richard Sutton, the developers of a technique called reinforcement learning that is vital to chatbots.—
Eli Tan,
New York Times,
28 Mar. 2025
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By engaging employees in the process of creating their own learning plans and using them as a guideline for managing that person, managers establish a cycle of positive reinforcement that has tangible benefits.—
Bruce Tulgan,
Forbes.com,
28 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The design is intended to spur students to leave their rooms and connect with their fellow students, supporting physical and mental health.—
Jeffrey Steele,
Forbes,
31 Dec. 2024
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Carter asked Davis to come out of retirement—again—to help lead the process of enacting the speed limit into law and supporting its nationwide promotion.—
Doug Melville,
Forbes,
31 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Per Report Social Security Changes Position On Controversial Phone Service Cuts Erosion of Trust: The Invisible Wound Trust is grounded in psychological safety and the bedrock of any successful organization.—
Jason Walker PsyD,
Forbes.com,
26 Mar. 2025
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All these stories helped form the bedrock of my imagination and a sense of what truly matters in life: Friendship, loyalty, courage in the face of daunting odds, and the capacity for normal people, even children and Hobbits, to overcome the machinations of the wicked.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes,
25 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Gas-guzzling trucks carrying gear from city to city.—
Julia MacCary,
Variety,
3 Jan. 2025
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According to the wildlife charity (WDC), Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins, spinner dolphins, orcas, Australian humpback dolphins and sperm whales have all been observed carrying dead calves.—
Tom Howarth,
Newsweek,
3 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Underpinning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underpinning. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.
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