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-
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
: to work as an underwriter
Synonyms
Examples of underwrite in a Sentence
a university willing to underwrite an archaeological expedition
Recent Examples on the Web
Just as Mexico never paid for the wall, China is not going to underwrite the cost of everything in Walmart.
—
Erik Sherman, Forbes, 26 Oct. 2024
Soon-Shiong’s willingness to underwrite tens of millions of dollars of losses per year has made cuts at The Times, though painful, less extreme than at the some of country’s biggest newspaper chains.
—James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2024
Policies are underwritten by Sentry Insurance Group.
—Liz Knueven, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2024
Hewson and Bowle are appealing actors, but their characters are similarly underwritten and suffer from a noticeable lack of chemistry.
—Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 5 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for underwrite 
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Erik Sherman, Forbes, 26 Oct. 2024
Soon-Shiong’s willingness to underwrite tens of millions of dollars of losses per year has made cuts at The Times, though painful, less extreme than at the some of country’s biggest newspaper chains.
—James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2024
Policies are underwritten by Sentry Insurance Group.
—Liz Knueven, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2024
Hewson and Bowle are appealing actors, but their characters are similarly underwritten and suffer from a noticeable lack of chemistry.
—Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 5 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for underwrite
Articles Related to underwrite
Dictionary Entries Near underwrite
Cite this Entry
“Underwrite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underwrite. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
underwrite
verb
un·der·write
ˈən-də(r)-ˌrīt
ˌən-də(r)-ˈrīt
1
: to write under or at the end of something else
2
: to set one's name to (an insurance policy) and thereby agree to insure against specified loss or damage
3
: to agree to
4
a
: to agree to purchase (as security issue) usually on a fixed date at a fixed price with a plan of distribution to the public
b
: to guarantee financial support of
underwrite the project
underwriter
noun
ˈən-də(r)-ˌrīt-ər
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)
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