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Definitions

undergird

[uhn-der-gurd] / ˌʌn dərˈgɜrd /
VERB
support
Synonyms
STRONGEST
bolster hold reinforce uphold
STRONG
base bear bed bottom brace buttress carry cradle crutch embed found ground mainstay poise prop shore shoulder stand stay strut sustain
WEAK
be a foundation for keep from falling keep up shore up upbear
Antonyms
STRONGEST
undermine weaken
STRONG
drop fall let go refuse
WEAK
contradict disapprove let down neglect oppose reject release

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.

Insider-trading rules backed by criminal penalties undergird confident stock trading.

From Barron's • Jan. 2, 2026

We try and understand the meaning systems that undergird whatever group we’re studying.

From Salon • Nov. 20, 2025

Aquilino said the AI can undergird U.S. military “decision superiority:” dominance in the tactical decision-making process to maintain advantages over potential enemies.

From Washington Times • Dec. 3, 2023

A 2021 study by the Pew Charitable Trusts found that tire compounds account for more than three-fourths of all microplastics in global oceans, threatening zooplankton that undergird marine food chains.

From Slate • Nov. 9, 2023

Multiplied to infinity, choices no longer undergird values, but options that are equally mediocre.

From The Civilization of Illiteracy by Nadin, Mihai

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.