as in to sustain
to hold up or serve as a foundation for the central beliefs that underpin a free society

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of underpin His signature commanding, grainy voice melds masterfully with the guitar, tambourine and steady percussion underpinning the song’s story of a drifter making his home on the highways and in every town. Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 3 Feb. 2025 Habeck said that several key reasons underpinned the downward revision of the GDP forecast. Sophie Kiderlin, CNBC, 29 Jan. 2025 On Monday, the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party called for stronger export controls on technologies underpinning DeepSeek’s AI infrastructure. Andrew R. Chow, TIME, 29 Jan. 2025 But unsustainable spending and spiraling debt weaken the foundations of economic power that underpin U.S. strength. Reid Smith, Foreign Affairs, 3 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for underpin 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underpin
Verb
  • Damage was sustained to four city garbage trucks and four businesses, including a Brooks Brothers store and a Chase Bank, the department said.
    Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY, 11 Feb. 2025
  • Today, its exhibits feature live animals, taxidermy specimens, recreations of the region’s former prairies and woodlands, and educational materials about sustaining the natural environment.
    Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The Earth's upper crust contains around 3.5% iron, and dust generated on impact would carry these nutrients into the ocean, along with any additional iron that might be carried by the asteroid.
    Victoria Corless, Space.com, 11 Feb. 2025
  • The charge of interfering with flight crew members carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
    Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 11 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • For example, the USDA invested about $6.6 billion to support rural development between 2017 and 2021, but only about $138 million went to tribal communities.
    Frank Vaisvilas, USA TODAY, 19 Feb. 2025
  • In the last 20 years, Intermountain Church Planters, an organization that supports church plants in the Intermountain West, has planted nearly 30 churches this way, including seven in the Treasure Valley, according to data its leaders shared with the Statesman.
    Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 18 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Even more alarmingly, his recent hateful rhetoric has begun to embolden white supremacists who’ve recently been spreading bigoted hate speech — and using West’s name to bolster their arguments.
    Aja Romano, Vox, 7 Feb. 2025
  • And regular activity levels can help bolster sleep quality, which can improve focus during performances too, McMillian says.
    Jordan Smith, SELF, 7 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Underpin.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underpin. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.

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