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
The Trump administration wants to overturn a key 2009 Environmental Protection Agency finding that underpins much of the federal government's actions to rein in climate change.
—
Jeff Brady, NPR, 24 July 2025
What makes these emerging threats particularly severe is their direct assault on the critical infrastructure and services that underpin public safety.
—Dara Warn, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025
Optimism about heavy spending on artificial intelligence has underpinned a rally in Wall Street's most valuable companies, with the S&P 500 trading around record highs.
—Nikhil Sharma, USA Today, 23 July 2025
Russia and Iran Partnership The expansion of drone warfare has been underpinned by closer coordination between Moscow and Tehran.
—Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for underpin
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Jeff Brady, NPR, 24 July 2025
What makes these emerging threats particularly severe is their direct assault on the critical infrastructure and services that underpin public safety.
—Dara Warn, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025
Optimism about heavy spending on artificial intelligence has underpinned a rally in Wall Street's most valuable companies, with the S&P 500 trading around record highs.
—Nikhil Sharma, USA Today, 23 July 2025
Russia and Iran Partnership The expansion of drone warfare has been underpinned by closer coordination between Moscow and Tehran.
—Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 July 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 29 Jul. 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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