underpin

1. (transitive) To support from below with props or masonry.Examples: "You should underpin the mine roof to prevent further collapse."transitive

2. (transitive, figuratively) To give support to; to form a basis of; to corroborate.Examples: "Public confidence in politicians must underpin our democracy."; "Since Rupert Murdoch famously bet the farm on Premier League football to rescue Sky TV in 1991, it has been the catnip that has underpinned subscriber loyalty and, even in a far more complicated media landscape, is seen as so vital as to be worth almost any price."; "The operator said the results were underpinned by a 16% increase in Q3 sales from North America."Synonyms: underliefigurativelytransitive