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
Margo T. Oge, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
The pessimistic analysis has not paid nearly enough attention to the weak underpinnings of Russian military power.
—Phillips Payson O’Brien, The Atlantic, 7 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
Fortunately, the scientific and legal underpinnings of the Endangerment Finding have only grown stronger with each passing year.
—Margo T. Oge, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
The pessimistic analysis has not paid nearly enough attention to the weak underpinnings of Russian military power.
—Phillips Payson O’Brien, The Atlantic, 7 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
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These wooden cabins were then placed on trucks and driven to locations near the bases.—
Benjamin Brown,
CNN Money,
3 June 2025
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The drones were transported to Russia and stored in trucks carrying cargo units with retractable roofs that were parked near the air bases and launched remotely.—
Sonam Sheth,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 June 2025
Noun
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Baltimore Sun The vast majority of Marylanders criminally charged – 32 of 46 – come from strong Democratic urban and suburban counties, according to election data analyzed by CNS, not from largely rural countries where Trump support is the strongest.—
Ariel Sheinberg,
Baltimore Sun,
26 May 2025
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Fans share outpouring of support after Sundae's cancer diagnosis As Sundae's fame grew, Gamble shared other things about their life together, eventually giving fans a glimpse of the lab's two-year battle with cancer.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
26 May 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
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When trust erodes, so does the foundation for data sharing that powers our innovation economy.—
Nick Hart,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2025
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Such knowledge, fully consistent with patriotism, provides an indispensable foundation for debates about contemporary issues.—
James T. Kloppenberg,
Time,
28 May 2025
Noun
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The local fire and rescue services dispatched 55 vehicles and 232 personnel to the scene, while the Ministry of Emergency Management dispatched a working group and rescue reinforcements, the ministry said in a statement.—
Nectar Gan,
CNN Money,
27 May 2025
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The squad saw few reinforcements ahead of the 2025 season, with two players signed on free transfers, one joining through the MLS SuperDraft and another on loan.—
Jeff Rueter,
New York Times,
27 May 2025
Verb
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The top priority for now is identifying the victims, supporting their families and treating the two survivors, Choi told a disaster management meeting in Seoul.—
Ju-min Park and Hongji Kim,
USA TODAY,
31 Dec. 2024
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If your current job in comms is growing stale, consider pivoting to supporting an organization fighting climate change.—
Aliza Knox,
Forbes,
31 Dec. 2024
Noun
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In the volcanic bedrock of the Andes, arsenic is naturally abundant and leaches into the drinking water.—
Kermit Pattison,
Scientific American,
20 May 2025
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Donaldson’s books have been the bedrock of the BBC’s annual Christmas specials, with this being the 13th to be adapted.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
20 May 2025
Verb
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The SpaceX Dragon vehicle carrying the four spacefarers selected for a mission known as Crew-10 successfully docked at the orbital outpost about 28 hours after launching from Florida.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA TODAY,
16 Mar. 2025
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But Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra insists the ethos remains, even at times such as these, with his team carrying a seven-game losing streak and 29-38 record into Monday night’s game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
16 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Underpinning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underpinning. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.
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