underpins
Forms the foundation
Underpins means supports from beneath, like the structural pins or beams that hold up a building.
The word appears almost entirely in figurative contexts: The constitution underpins our system of government.
Whatever underpins something else provides its foundation or basis—the thing it depends on to stand.
Solid stone underground
- cornerstoneFoundational building block
- basisUnderlying support or principle
- groundworkFoundational preparation for something
- keystoneArch's central locking stone
foundation · infrastructure · framework · base · anchor · root · backbone · platform
Central essential portion
- crucialOf supreme importance
- vitalEssential or sustaining existence
- fundamentalForming the base
- integralAntiderivative or crucial component
key · central · pivotal · primary · underlying · basic · indispensable · necessary
Strengthen or buttress
- shore upStrengthen against failure
- backReverse side; support
- upholdMaintain or confirm officially
- strengthenMake more robust
fortify · sustain · maintain · prop up · brace · secure · stabilize · hold up
Provides adequate grounds for
- validatesConfirms accuracy or legitimacy
- substantiatesConfirms with evidence
- groundsBasis for justification
- informsCommunicates facts to
shapes · guides · motivates · rationalizes · explains · accounts for · legitimizes · authorizes
bedrock
Solid stone underground
- cornerstoneFoundational building block
- basisUnderlying support or principle
- groundworkFoundational preparation for something
keystone · foundation · infrastructure · framework · base · anchor · root · backbone · platform · substratum
core
Central essential portion
- crucialOf supreme importance
- vitalEssential or sustaining existence
- fundamentalForming the base
integral · key · central · pivotal · primary · underlying · basic · indispensable · necessary · prerequisite
bolster
Strengthen or buttress
strengthen · fortify · sustain · maintain · prop up · brace · secure · stabilize · hold up · carry
justifies
Provides adequate grounds for
- validatesConfirms accuracy or legitimacy
- substantiatesConfirms with evidence
- groundsBasis for justification
informs · shapes · guides · motivates · rationalizes · explains · accounts for · legitimizes · authorizes · warrants
underpinsundermines
Weakens by stealth
destabilizes · topples · weakens · collapses · erodes
underpinsundermines
Weakens by stealth
refutes · contradicts · disproves · invalidates · discredits