Word Study
undergird
CIDE DICTIONARY
undergird, v. t.
To bind below; to gird round the bottom. [1913 Webster]
"They used helps, undergirding the ship." [1913 Webster]
THESAURUS
undergird
affirm, afford support, attest, authenticate, back, back up, bear, bear out, bear up, bed on, beef up, bolster, bolster up, bottom on, brace, brace up, build on, buoy up, buttress, carry, case harden, certify, circumstantiate, confirm, corroborate, cradle, crutch, cushion, document, finance, fortify, found on, fund, gird, give support, ground on, harden, hold, hold up, invigorate, keep, keep afloat, keep up, lend support, mainstay, maintain, nerve, pillow, probate, prop, prop up, prove, ratify, refresh, reinforce, reinvigorate, restrengthen, set on, shore, shore up, shoulder, stay, steel, stiffen, strengthen, subsidize, substantiate, subvention, subventionize, support, sustain, temper, toughen, underbrace, underlie, underpin, underset, upbear, uphold, upkeep, validate, verify, warrantFor further exploring for "undergird" in Webster Dictionary Online