untermauern
Translation
to underpin, to substantiate, to support with evidence
Examples
Er untermauerte seine These mit Fakten.
He substantiated his thesis with facts.
Das alte Haus muss untermauert werden.
The old house must be underpinned.
Grammar Patterns
((sth.)) to underpin sth. The old house must be underpinned.
((sth.)) ((with sth.)) to substantiate sth. with sth. He substantiated his thesis with facts.
Similar Words
Synonyms: to justify (begründen), to prove (belegen), to support (stützen); Antonyms: to refute (widerlegen)
Etymology
From 'unter-' (under) and 'mauern' (to build a wall), which comes from 'Mauer' (wall). Literally 'to build a wall under'.
Memory Tips
Picture building a strong wall ('Mauer') 'under' ('unter') an argument or a house to support it. This works for both literal and figurative meanings.