View synonyms for undergird

undergird

[ uhn-der-gurd ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

verb (used with object)

, un·der·gird·ed or un·der·girt, un·der·gird·ing.

to strengthen; secure, as by passing a rope or chain under and around:
to undergird a top-heavy load.
to give fundamental support; provide with a sound or secure basis:
ethics undergirded by faith.

undergird

/ ˌʌndəˈɡɜːd /

tr to strengthen or reinforce by passing a rope, cable, or chain around the underside of (an object, load, etc)

First recorded in 1520–30; under- + gird ¹

C16: from under- + gird ¹

But the austerity policies that this research helped undergird are still alive and well.

To the contrary, he views them as essential to restoring the economic strength that must undergird that power.

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

In this universe, literacy and religion undergird the legal system.

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