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Synonyms

underpinnings

British  
/ ˈʌndəˌpɪnɪŋz /

plural noun

  1. any supporting structure or system

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The underpinnings of the department’s proposed rule is that the fiduciary process must be undertaken by loyal and conflict-free plan fiduciaries.

From The Wall Street Journal

Medium-term underpinnings for the Aussie currency persist too, including RBA divergence from the Fed and demand for commodities given Australia’s role as a producer of LNG.

From The Wall Street Journal

The title of the park, which will likely move to a more permanent location in 2027, hints at its feminist underpinnings.

From Los Angeles Times

She examines the genetic underpinnings of human behaviors, aging, and athletic pursuits.

From The Wall Street Journal

Indeed, Joel Mokyr, Philippe Aghion, and Peter Howitt won this year’s Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences for establishing the theoretical underpinnings of this dynamic.

From Barron's