1
as in basis
an immaterial thing upon which something else rests
the underpinnings of the theory have recently been called into question
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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
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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of underpinning
Jack Nicas, New York Times, 24 Nov. 2024
The Classic 650 gets the same frame, swingarm, and rear dual shock absorbers with 3.5 in (90 mm) of travel as the Shotgun 650, which isn't really surprising because both these bikes share the major chunk of components and underpinnings.
—New Atlas, 5 Nov. 2024
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
Its undoing is now a dreary conclusion to an investigation that had once been viewed as a sea change in Latin America, promising to root out systemic corruption that had rotted the underpinnings of governments.
—Jack Nicas, New York Times, 24 Nov. 2024
The Classic 650 gets the same frame, swingarm, and rear dual shock absorbers with 3.5 in (90 mm) of travel as the Shotgun 650, which isn't really surprising because both these bikes share the major chunk of components and underpinnings.
—New Atlas, 5 Nov. 2024
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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In this sense, malicious means no legal basis to sue or criminally charge the individual except for purposes of using the heavy hand of the government to seek retribution against the individual.Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 24 Dec. 2024
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On a year-over-year basis, its revenues and profits were both up by more than ninety per cent.John Cassidy, The New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Pressure is part and parcel of the game in the Premier League, but some players do need more support than others.Rob Tanner, The Athletic, 27 Dec. 2024
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In a statement to Variety, a spokesperson for Sony Pictures Entertainment reiterated the studio's support for Lively.Doha Madani, NBC News, 27 Dec. 2024
Verb
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After sustaining an injury on New Year’s Eve, Max decides to change her life.Sally Tamarkin, Them, 23 Dec. 2024
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Businesses might face challenges in maintaining productivity levels, meeting contractual obligations, and sustaining profitability.Solange Charas, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
Noun
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The foundation of a successful remote work arrangement is trust, and that trust is earned through performance.Sho Dewan, Forbes, 29 Dec. 2024
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Renner thinks quantum reference frames may also be central to elucidating the foundations of quantum physics.Anil Ananthaswamy, WIRED, 29 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Ancelotti and his staff, the players and their entourages, the fans and the press all agree reinforcements are needed.Mario Cortegana, The Athletic, 26 Dec. 2024
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Deliberative alignment, the researchers claim, will do better than reinforcement learning from human feedback (RLHF) and something called RLAIF.John Werner, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024
Verb
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However, all of these options should provide instant hydration—locking in moisture and supporting skin barrier repair.Kiana Murden, Vogue, 24 Dec. 2024
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To foster that kind of deep inclusion, companies often try to create a warm and welcoming culture, perhaps by supporting employee resource groups or sponsoring company events such as happy hours and team offsites.Gregg Muragishi, Harvard Business Review, 24 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Founded in 1966 by a Southern Californian Black Power activist named Maulana Karenga, Kwanzaa was meant to be the bedrock of a new cultural nationalism that appealed to Black people increasingly disillusioned by the post-Civil Rights Movement world.Ismail Muhammad, New York Times, 27 Dec. 2024
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Conclusion While each platform has unique strengths, consistency is the bedrock of any successful social media strategy.Tony Pec, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
Noun
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The legend was himself, a Maui resident who owned 25 acres on the island's Southeastern shore for three decades.Audrey Gibbs, The Tennessean, 20 Dec. 2024
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The tower is set along the shores of Walt Disney World’s Seven Seas Lagoon and offers great views of the Magic Kingdom.Megan duBois, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near underpinning
Cite this Entry
“Underpinning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underpinning. Accessed 5 Jan. 2025.
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