underwrite

[ uhn-der-rahyt, uhn-der-rahyt ]

/ ˌʌn dərˈraɪt, ˈʌn dərˌraɪt /

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See synonyms for: underwrite / underwritten on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), un·der·wrote

[uhn-der-roht, uhn-der-roht], /ˌʌn dərˈroʊt, ˈʌn dərˌroʊt/, un·der·writ·ten

[uhn-der-rit-n, uhn-der-rit-], /ˌʌn dərˈrɪt n, ˈʌn dərˌrɪt-/, un·der·writ·ing.

to write under or at the foot of, especially under other written matter.

to sign one's name, as to a document.

to show agreement with or to support by or as if by signing one's name to, as a statement or decision.

to bind oneself to contribute a sum of money to (an undertaking): Wealthy music lovers underwrote the experimental concerts.

to guarantee the sale of (a security issue to be offered to the public for subscription).

Insurance.

to write one's name at the end of (a policy), thereby becoming liable in case of certain losses specified in the policy.
to insure.
to assume liability to the extent of (a specified sum) by way of insurance.
to select or rate (risks) for insurance.

verb (used without object), un·der·wrote

[uhn-der-roht, uhn-der-roht], /ˌʌn dərˈroʊt, ˈʌn dərˌroʊt/, un·der·writ·ten

[uhn-der-rit-n, uhn-der-rit-], /ˌʌn dərˈrɪt n, ˈʌn dərˌrɪt-/, un·der·writ·ing.

to underwrite something.

to carry on the business of an underwriter.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of underwrite

First recorded before 1400–50; late Middle English, translation of Latin subscrībere “to write underneath, sign, subscribe”; see origin at subscribe

Words nearby underwrite

underwood, underwool, underwork, underworld, under wraps, underwrite, underwriter, undescended, undeserved, undesigned, undesigning

How to use underwrite in a sentence

Once “The Hustler” was optioned by Hollywood, though, he used the cash to underwrite an MA in creative writing from the University of Iowa.
‘The Queen’s Gambit’ is a bestseller, but its author, Walter Tevis, was hardly a one-hit wonder|Michael Dirda|February 3, 2021|Washington Post
It can underwrite the cost of meals for students and help pay for nurses in every school.
What you need to know about standardized testing|Valerie Strauss|February 1, 2021|Washington Post
Nor did state legislatures step up to the plate and generously underwrite higher education to meet this increasing demand, so colleges and universities raised fees to cover expenses.
Even forgiving student loans won’t solve the higher education funding crisis|Elizabeth Shermer|January 22, 2021|Washington Post
With home sales at a peak, underwriting growing rapidly, and a fleshed-out management team, Better hopes its turn to shine in the public markets has finally arrived.
As home sales skyrocket and IPO looms, Diane Yu joins fintech Better.com as CTO|Danny Crichton|January 15, 2021|TechCrunch

For the next 20 years, DHHL received $30 million annually, helping underwrite the development of more homesteads.
The Government Promised to Return Ancestral Hawaiian Land, Then Never Finished the Job|by Rob Perez, Honolulu Star-Advertiser, and Agnel Philip, ProPublica|December 19, 2020|ProPublica
The Rockefellers were not going to underwrite a museum that promoted communism.
How Jews Created American Modernism|Andrew Romano|August 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Of course, plenty of countries are willing to underwrite that expense.
Will Saudi Arabia Execute Guest Workers for 'Witchcraft'?|Michael Schulson|March 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Or the Social and National Security tax, because it would underwrite both kinds.
Replacing Payroll Taxes with Carbon Taxes|Justin Green|December 5, 2012|DAILY BEAST
As heroes, those who serve and sacrifice embody the virtues that underwrite American greatness.
How America Screws Its Soldiers|Andrew J. Bacevich|May 28, 2011|DAILY BEAST
I'd undertake to underwrite the whole English-speaking world to keep peace, under our leadership.
The Life and Letters of Walter H. Page, Volume II|Burton J. Hendrick
On learning that we were intending to enter Hudson Straits, the agent refused to underwrite us: it was too ugly a risk.
Left on Labrador|Charles Asbury Stephens
The parents had agreed to underwrite lunches at the barn and Betty Miller philosophically assumed the role of commissary officer.
Junior Achievement|William Lee
The English issuing house sends round a stockbroker to underwrite the loan.
International Finance|Hartley Withers
I shall not underwrite the name till you have judged of my painting.
Secresy|E. (Eliza) Fenwick

British Dictionary definitions for underwrite

underwrite

/ (ˈʊndəˌraɪt, ˌʌndəˈraɪt) /

verb -writes, -writing, -wrote or -written (tr)

finance to undertake to purchase at an agreed price any unsold portion of (a public issue of shares, etc)

to accept financial responsibility for (a commercial project or enterprise)

insurance

to sign and issue (an insurance policy) thus accepting liability if specified losses occur
to insure (a property or risk)
to accept liability up to (a specified amount) in an insurance policy

to write (words, a signature, etc) beneath (other written matter); subscribe

to support or concur with (a decision, statement, etc) by or as if by signature

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

underwrite

Origin of underwrite

Words nearby underwrite

Words related to underwrite

How to use underwrite in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for underwrite