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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show current usage.
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Recent Examples of underpinning
Erica Pandey, Axios, 21 Mar. 2025
But even despite their lush surfaces, Eversley’s sculptures stand apart from nearly all other Finish Fetish art because of their scientific underpinning.
—Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 18 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
Experts predict the face of university research could be permanently changed, affecting work on treatments for cancer, Alzheimer's, and diabetes, among other conditions, along with studies on the underpinnings of disease.
—Erica Pandey, Axios, 21 Mar. 2025
But even despite their lush surfaces, Eversley’s sculptures stand apart from nearly all other Finish Fetish art because of their scientific underpinning.
—Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 18 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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The potential for building more sophisticated internal AI agents capable of handling multi-step tasks with access to large internal knowledge bases increases.—
Janakiram MSV,
Forbes.com,
15 Apr. 2025
-
Michael Busch slugged a home run for a second straight day as five of the eight hits by the Cubs (11-7) went for extra bases.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Comedian and car aficionado Jay Leno drove state Sen. Shannon Grove, R-Bakersfield, in a 1976 Pontiac Trans-Am past the state Capitol on Tuesday, rallying support for legislation that would ease restrictions on classic cars.—
HECTOR AMEZCUA,
Sacbee.com,
9 Apr. 2025
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But there was a sense of hope, rather than expectation, among the home support as the players walked out on a crystal clear spring evening in North London.—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
8 Apr. 2025
Verb
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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
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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
Noun
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This set has brushes to apply foundation, contouring and more.—
Nora Colomer,
FOXNews.com,
9 Apr. 2025
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The new bridge is a 70-foot-long, single-span bridge built on a pile foundation that is anchored into bedrock.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
9 Apr. 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 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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Stability, the ability to remain composed, consistent and dependable, especially during times of change and stress, is the bedrock of trust and the quiet strength that allows others to feel secure and focused.—
Michael McFall,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
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The concrete bases of the structure were located at the points where the bedrock is highest, reducing the cost of building the house’s foundations.—
María Noval-Quílez,
Architectural Digest,
30 Mar. 2025
Verb
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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
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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
Cite this Entry
“Underpinning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underpinning. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
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