underpin
verb
un·der·pin
ˌən-dər-ˈpin 
underpinned; underpinning; underpins
1
: support, substantiate
underpin a thesis with evidence
2
: to form part of, strengthen, or replace the foundation of
underpin a structure
underpin a sagging building
Examples of underpin in a Sentence
a wall underpinned by metal beams
the central beliefs that underpin a free society
Recent Examples on the Web
They were based on law, but experts say that Biden used executive authority underpinned by law on a scale that had never been seen before.
—
Dana Taylor, USA Today, 7 Apr. 2025
In the House, Speaker Mike Johnson has blocked votes to end the emergency declaration that underpins Trump's tariffs on Canada.
—Lee Habeeb, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Apr. 2025
Angela Weiss | Afp | Getty Images Stocks head into the second-quarter of trading on Tuesday after an exceedingly bumpy first-quarter, which was largely underpinned by tariff worry that translated to market volatility.
—Brian Evans,lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 31 Mar. 2025
In early March, Robinhood began offering sports futures contracts underpinned by Kalshi’s exchange.
—Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for underpin
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Dana Taylor, USA Today, 7 Apr. 2025
In the House, Speaker Mike Johnson has blocked votes to end the emergency declaration that underpins Trump's tariffs on Canada.
—Lee Habeeb, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Apr. 2025
Angela Weiss | Afp | Getty Images Stocks head into the second-quarter of trading on Tuesday after an exceedingly bumpy first-quarter, which was largely underpinned by tariff worry that translated to market volatility.
—Brian Evans,lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 31 Mar. 2025
In early March, Robinhood began offering sports futures contracts underpinned by Kalshi’s exchange.
—Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for underpin
Cite this Entry
“Underpin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underpin. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
underpin
verb
un·der·pin
-ˈpin
1
: to give support to
underpin an argument with evidence
2
: to form part of, strengthen, or replace the foundation of
underpin a structure
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