as in to sustain
to hold up or serve as a foundation for the theory of evolution undergirds virtually all of modern biology

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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 undergird Mortgage rates move more closely in step with longer term interest rates in the bond market but are undergirded by interbank lending rates in the short term. Sylvan Lane, The Hill, 17 Apr. 2025 But undergirding all the conjectures is the perception of diminishing confidence in U.S. policies. Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 15 Apr. 2025 This transformation undergirded Alfred Sauvy’s famous tripartite division of humanity into First, Second, and Third Worlds. Zachariah Mampilly, Foreign Affairs, 1 Apr. 2025 Every year, year after year, workers in agencies that many of us have never heard of have been amassing the statistics that undergird decision-making at all levels of government and inform the judgments of business leaders, school administrators and medical providers nationwide. Alec MacGillis, ProPublica, 18 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for undergird
Recent Examples of Synonyms for undergird
Verb
  • The Waterbury Police Department responded to a report of a fight involving a group of men in the road in the 600 block of South Main Street shortly after 9 p.m. Two male victims sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were transported to a local hospital.
    Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 1 June 2025
  • Foundations and individuals that once focused solely on infrastructure or scholarship are now looking to sustain the principles that make education possible: academic freedom, equal access, and legal independence.
    Michelle Mbekeani, Forbes.com, 1 June 2025
Verb
  • Arafat would similarly reject peace with Israel, support terrorism, and murder rivals and critics.
    Sean Durns, The Washington Examiner, 6 June 2025
  • The new numbers might be a little confusing at first, especially for the period of overlap where Apple is actively supporting (say) macOS 14, macOS 15, and macOS 26.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 6 June 2025
Verb
  • Previous studies have indicated that pure-breed cats are more likely to carry the long-type gene. Of the cats in the study, many of the mixed breed felines were former strays, suggesting that rescue cats may be more vocal.
    Ian Randall, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 May 2025
  • Grand theft is a felony that can carry a prison sentence of up to 14 years.
    Ashley Fredde, Idaho Statesman, 30 May 2025
Verb
  • Some others who just missed the cut in February signed on for worlds in hopes of of bolstering their cases when U.S. general manager Bill Guerin makes his final roster decisions for the 2026 Winter Olympics.
    Carol Schram, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025
  • With the top 10 generating over $8.4 million, a shade under last week’s total, the Korean box office maintained solid momentum heading into the final days of May, bolstered by a mix of major franchise fare and reliable local hits.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 26 May 2025

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“Undergird.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/undergird. Accessed 9 Jun. 2025.

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