Thesaurus results for UNDERPINNINGS

underpinnings

noun

plural of underpinning

as in foundations

an immaterial thing upon which something else rests the underpinnings of the theory have recently been called into question

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in shores

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

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 underpinnings For twenty years, McCarthy has been swimming against the current, writing novels that reflect, with unusual intensity, his disdain for the conventional underpinnings of literary fiction. — Max Callimanopulos, New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2026 Boned corsets, drawstring ties, and lace insertions—typically a garment’s underpinnings—are deliberately revealed on several pieces. — Laura Neilson, Vogue, 4 Oct. 2026 The conversation and the word itself, which gives the seventh and final episode its title, unlocks the Biblical underpinnings and the complexities governing many of the main characters. — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 1 Oct. 2026 The phone, the radio, the television, the fax, the cell, texting, video calls, AI—who among us truly grasps its underpinnings? — Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026 The occasional hints on non-denim pieces come in the material’s colors for devoré tops, lace underpinnings and jacquard knits, which often reprise Dondup’s tribal logo. — Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 27 Sep. 2026 Underneath the bodywork are some relatively familiar underpinnings; Bentley shares technology with Porsche as both are part of the greater Volkswagen Group empire. — Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 23 Sep. 2026 Summary Toyota's new C-HR+ electric SUV signals a serious EV commitment, presenting a larger, sharper-looking model distinct from its hybrid counterpart, built on bZ4X underpinnings. — Matthew MacConnell, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026 Otherwise, the underpinnings are perfectly sorted. — Utkarsh Sood june 27, New Atlas, 27 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for underpinnings

Noun

Dropping two cylinders and losing almost three liters of displacement means there’s no option for shaking a garage on its foundations or setting off car alarms while waiting for a red light.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 14 Oct. 2026
The fund launched with $27 million, including an initial $10 million donation from the Knight Foundation and support from Pivotal and the Ford, MacArthur, Robert Wood Johnson and Schmidt Family foundations.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of foundations

Noun

Many other countries and even continents would kill to have this level of ingenuity on their shores.

— Sarah Cannon, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
Several merchant ships carrying grain and other civilian cargo were struck by drones – widely viewed as Russian – off the shores of two NATO members, Bulgaria and Romania.

— the Monitor's Editorial Board, Christian Science Monitor, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of shores

Noun

The theme of the evening was family and relationships, the cornerstones of the business for the last century.

— Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
The goal on defense is to force more opponents to throw at two cornerstones who keep making plays on the ball.

— Nate Atkins, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of cornerstones

Noun

Halpin watched the ball clear the wall in right-center then launched his bat over his head and into the sky before rounding the bases.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2026
Brewers third baseman David Hamilton rounds the bases after hitting a home run in the ninth inning.

— Greg Rosenstein, NBC news, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of bases

Noun

Whatever marks that remain after pulling the supports away and curing the parts are easily ground or sanded away.

— Michael Lydick, PC Magazine, 14 Oct. 2026
The mural is painted directly onto the building’s walls, ceiling, and structural supports, so the art literally comes with the listing (or vice versa).

— Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of supports

Noun

The costs of health insurance are pushing small businesses — beloved by politicians and the bedrocks of entire communities — to a financial cliff.

— Bob Herman, STAT, 7 July 2026
Hillary Rodham Clinton also reflect on the bedrocks of our democracy, including the Electoral College and the peaceful transfer of power.

— Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 24 June 2026

Definition of bedrocks

Noun

Using wooden planks and sandbags, Long Beach City work crews earlier this month had patched up holes in the boardwalk’s wall created by the hurricanes, but the reinforcements did not hold.

— Alicia Victoria Lozano, NBC news, 17 Oct. 2026
The Houthi sources told AFP reinforcements were being sent to the area.

— Frank Andrews, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of reinforcements

Browse Nearby Words

underpinning

underpinnings

underpins

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Underpinnings.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underpinnings. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of underpinnings

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

compunction

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes