underwrote

underwrote

The insurance company underwrote the cargo ship's voyage.

Definition
  1. Verb (past tense of "underwrite"):
    • To have agreed to finance or guarantee: "underwrote" is the simple past tense of "underwrite," meaning to have assumed financial responsibility for something, often by signing a document.
    • To have insured: In insurance contexts, "underwrote" means to have accepted the risk of insuring a ship, cargo, or property in exchange for a premium.
    • To have signed one's name below: Literally, to have written one's signature at the bottom of a document, thereby endorsing or validating it.
Usage Examples
  • (The bank agreed to finance the project.)
  • (The company insured the cargo.)
  • (He signed to validate the agreement.)
Advanced Usage

  • "Underwrote a bond issue": To have guaranteed the sale of bonds by purchasing them from the issuer and reselling them to investors.

    • The investment firm underwrote the bond issue for the city's new infrastructure. (The firm guaranteed the sale of the bonds.)

  • "Underwrote a policy": To have issued an insurance policy after assessing the risk.

    • The marine insurer underwrote a policy for the cargo ship. (The insurer issued and guaranteed the policy.)
Variants and Related Words
  • Underwrite (verb, base form): to assume financial responsibility or insure.
    • The company will underwrite the loan for the new business. (The company agrees to finance the loan.)
  • Underwriter (noun): a person or organization that underwrites, especially in insurance or finance.
    • The underwriter approved the policy after reviewing the risk. (The financial expert approved the insurance.)
  • Underwriting (noun/gerund): the process of assuming financial risk or insuring.
    • Underwriting involves assessing the risk before issuing a policy. (The process of evaluating risk.)
Synonyms
  • Guaranteed: to have promised to be responsible for a debt or obligation.
    • The bank guaranteed the loan for the startup. (The bank underwrote the loan.)
  • Endorsed: to have signed the back of a document to show approval or transfer ownership.
    • She endorsed the check before depositing it. (She signed to validate it.)
  • Insured: to have provided financial protection against loss.
    • The company insured the building against fire. (They underwrote the insurance policy.)
Phrasal Verbs
  • Underwrite for: to provide financial backing or insurance for a specific purpose.
    • The syndicate underwrote for the entire shipping fleet. (They provided insurance for the fleet.)
  • Underwrite with: to guarantee using a specific method or asset.
    • The loan was underwritten with property as collateral. (The loan was guaranteed using property.)
Related Idioms
  • "Put one's name to": to sign or endorse a document, similar to the literal meaning of "underwrote."
    • He put his name to the agreement, making it official. (He signed the agreement.)
  • "Back financially": to provide financial support or guarantee.
    • The investor backed the project financially, just as a bank underwrites a loan. (The investor provided financial backing.)