underwrite
verb
un·der·write ˈən-dər-ˌrīt 
ˈən-də-,
ˌən-dər-ˈrīt,
ˌən-də-
underwrote ˈən-dər-ˌrōt
ˈən-də-,
ˌən-dər-ˈrōt,
ˌən-də-
; underwritten ˈən-dər-ˌri-tᵊn ˈən-də-,
ˌən-dər-ˈri-tᵊn,
ˌən-də-
; underwriting ˈən-dər-ˌrī-tiŋ ˈən-də-,
ˌən-dər-ˈrī-,
ˌən-də-
transitive verb
1
: to write under or at the end of something else
2
: to set one's name to (an insurance policy) for the purpose of thereby becoming answerable for a designated loss or damage on consideration of receiving a premium percent : insure on life or property
also : to assume liability for (a sum or risk) as an insurer
3
: to subscribe to : agree to
4
a
: to agree to purchase (something, such as security issue) usually on a fixed date at a fixed price with a view to public distribution
b
: to guarantee financial support of
underwrite a project
intransitive verb
: to work as an underwriter
Synonyms
- bankroll
- capitalize
- endow
- finance
- fund
- stake
- subsidize
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
a university willing to underwrite an archaeological expedition
Recent Examples on the Web Washington plans to underwrite some of that expansion to ensure factories are built in the U.S. with funding that has enjoyed rare bipartisan support and is aimed at counteracting the industry’s shift toward Asia in recent decades. 
Asa Fitch, WSJ, 9 Aug. 2022 The only viable way to underwrite that is through a stress-test. Richard Parker, Forbes, 24 July 2022 The enterprise was financed primarily by Ms. Hartman’s family (not trippers, but pleased to underwrite), with smaller donations from venture capitalists. New York Times, 20 July 2022 Originally, JPMorgan was chosen to underwrite the bonds after offering a lower fee than other banks, but now Wells Fargo will match that fee, Lela Folse, director of the bond commission, said during the meeting Thursday. Amanda Albright, Bloomberg.com, 18 Nov. 2021 But the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which controls relief funding for the island, appears ready to underwrite a rebuild of the old fossil fuel system. Patrick Parenteau, The Conversation, 4 Oct. 2021 This event also supports our treasured restaurant community, and a portion of your ticket price will underwrite food and labor costs for each participating restaurant. San Francisco Chronicle, 30 June 2022 Huawei is not publicly held, however, so the order would essentially ban Americans from helping to underwrite its debt offerings. New York Times, 3 June 2021 The money will pay for factory-construction incentives, provide workforce training, pay for targeted tax credits, and underwrite loans and loan guarantees to qualifying companies. Rob Pegoraro, PCMAG, 29 July 2022 See More
Asa Fitch, WSJ, 9 Aug. 2022 The only viable way to underwrite that is through a stress-test. Richard Parker, Forbes, 24 July 2022 The enterprise was financed primarily by Ms. Hartman’s family (not trippers, but pleased to underwrite), with smaller donations from venture capitalists. New York Times, 20 July 2022 Originally, JPMorgan was chosen to underwrite the bonds after offering a lower fee than other banks, but now Wells Fargo will match that fee, Lela Folse, director of the bond commission, said during the meeting Thursday. Amanda Albright, Bloomberg.com, 18 Nov. 2021 But the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which controls relief funding for the island, appears ready to underwrite a rebuild of the old fossil fuel system. Patrick Parenteau, The Conversation, 4 Oct. 2021 This event also supports our treasured restaurant community, and a portion of your ticket price will underwrite food and labor costs for each participating restaurant. San Francisco Chronicle, 30 June 2022 Huawei is not publicly held, however, so the order would essentially ban Americans from helping to underwrite its debt offerings. New York Times, 3 June 2021 The money will pay for factory-construction incentives, provide workforce training, pay for targeted tax credits, and underwrite loans and loan guarantees to qualifying companies. Rob Pegoraro, PCMAG, 29 July 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Legal Definition
underwrite
transitive verb
un·der·write ˈən-dər-ˌrīt, ˌən-dər-ˈrīt
underwrote -ˌrōt, -ˈrōt ; underwritten -ˌrit-ᵊn, -ˈrit-ᵊn ; underwriting
; underwritten -ˌrit-ᵊn, -ˈrit-ᵊn ; underwriting 1
a
: to assume liability for (a risk) as an insurer
the insurer underwrites individuals, not the group, in franchise health insurance
b
: to issue or set the terms of (an insurance policy)
2
: to agree to purchase (all or part of a security issue) usually on a fixed date at a fixed price with the purpose or plan to resell by means of a public offering
was a security brokerage firm which as part of its business underwrote speculative new issues UFITEC, S.A. v. Carter, 135 Cal. Rptr. 607 (1977)
UFITEC, S.A. v. Carter, 135 Cal. Rptr. 607 (1977)3
a
: to put up funds for or guarantee financial support of
b
: to assess the risk of (as a loan)
underwrote
verb
as in financed
to provide money for a university willing to underwrite an archaeological expedition Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- financed
- funded
- subsidized
- bankrolled
- supported
- sponsored
- staked
- capitalized
- endowed
- endorsed
- aided
- backed
- advocated
- championed
- maintained
- paid
- refinanced
- defrayed
- patronized
- liquidated
- co-financed
- indorsed
- stood
- grubstaked
- refunded
- nourished
- footed
- recompensed
- paid up
- paid off
- settled
- cofinanced
- quitted
- cleared
- discharged
- sprung (for)
- quit
- provided (for)
- sprang (for)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- defunded
- black lignite
- black lily
- black line
- black linn
- black lip
- black liquor
- Black Lives Matter
- black locust
- black lotion
- black lung
- black lye
- black magic
- black mahogany
- black maidenhair
- black maire
- black mallard
- black mamba
- black manganese
- black mangrove
- black maple
- black margate
- Black Maria
- black mark
- black market
- black marketeer