underpin

verb

un·​der·​pin ˌən-dər-ˈpin How to pronounce underpin (audio)
underpinned; underpinning; underpins
Synonyms of underpinnext

transitive verb

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

Synonyms of underpin

Relevance
See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

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
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.
It's based on the company's MQB platform, which underpins the T-Cross subcompact SUV and the Polo hatchback. — Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 26 Aug. 2026 Still, the economic particulars underpinning this needless antagonism essentially are beside the point. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026 The debacle has cast light on the various ways in which leverage is increasingly underpinning the wider AI boom. — Hugh Leask, CNBC, 25 Aug. 2026 As a wedding day draws closer, an assignment becomes personal, threatening the professional distance that has always underpinned Ryan’s work. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for underpin

Word History

First Known Use

1522, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of underpin was in 1522

Rhymes for underpin

See All Rhymes for underpin

Browse Nearby Words

underpick
underpin
underpinner
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Underpin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underpin. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

underpin

verb
un·​der·​pin -ˈpin How to pronounce underpin (audio)
1
: to give support to
underpin an argument with evidence
2
: to form part of, strengthen, or replace the foundation of
underpin a structure
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

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

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

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

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All