underprop

An acquaintance of Lowell’s bemoaned the habit Lowell had of “jumping at some general idea or theorem,” after which he “selects and bends facts to underprop that generalization.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 22, 2025

What penny hath Rome borne, What men provided, what munition sent, To underprop this action?

From King John by William Shakespeare

Here am I left to underprop his land, Who, weak with age, cannot support myself.

From King Richard II by William Shakespeare

I can repair your leaky boots, And underlay your soles; Backsliders, I can underprop And patch up all your holes.

From Cavalier Songs and Ballads of England from 1642 to 1684 by Charles Mackay

For this self-confidence, which might to a careless observer seem to underprop Peter’s courage, was to the eye of the Lord undermining it.

From The Expositor's Bible: The Gospel of St John, Vol. II by Marcus Dods

Second, we were underpropped by more than an inch.

From Time Magazine Archive

Trees newly planted must be supported, underpropped, strengthened and defended against all tempests, mischiefs, injuries, and calamities.

From Gargantua and Pantagruel, Illustrated, Book 3 by Peter Anthony Motteux

For surely the conscience of this evill ground whereupon they have either built, or underpropped their tyranny, causes men, as well metus as spes in longum projicere, which sets them a work on further mischiefe.

From Machiavelli, Volume I by Edward Dacres

Nor indeed can any party be so much strengthened and underpropped, as it will be weakened and undermined by such courses. 

From Sermons on Evil-Speaking by Isaac Barrow

The bear having seized the handle, was shaking it as well as Zbyszko, and notwithstanding the pain caused by every movement of the points imbedded in his breast, be would not let it be "underpropped."

From The Knights of the Cross or, Krzyzacy by Samuel A. Binion