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
Examples of underwrite in a Sentence
a university willing to underwrite an archaeological expedition
Recent Examples on the Web
The same advantages underwrote the rise of the biggest dinosaurs as well as more recent giants like the sloths and mastodons.
—
Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 July 2025
Goldman is wading back into the market for SPACs and is open to underwriting new deals for SPAC companies, Bloomberg reported on June 17.
—Luisa Beltran, Fortune, 1 July 2025
The lender that approves your application, underwrites the loan and closes on the house is known as the mortgage originator.
—Kelsey Neubauer, CNBC, 26 June 2025
The calculus of Biden and his predecessors was that America underwrites European security, and in return has a huge influence over political, diplomatic and even cultural happenings on the Continent and beyond.
—Alexander Smith, NBC news, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for underwrite
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Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 July 2025
Goldman is wading back into the market for SPACs and is open to underwriting new deals for SPAC companies, Bloomberg reported on June 17.
—Luisa Beltran, Fortune, 1 July 2025
The lender that approves your application, underwrites the loan and closes on the house is known as the mortgage originator.
—Kelsey Neubauer, CNBC, 26 June 2025
The calculus of Biden and his predecessors was that America underwrites European security, and in return has a huge influence over political, diplomatic and even cultural happenings on the Continent and beyond.
—Alexander Smith, NBC news, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for underwrite
Cite this Entry
“Underwrite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underwrite. Accessed 20 Jul. 2025.
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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