1
as in to overlap
to lie over parts of one another
the puzzle pieces overlay one another in complete disarray on the floor
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in to coat
to form a layer over
there will be freezing rain tonight, so we can expect to find a thick layer of ice overlying the car windshield in the morning
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of overlie
However, those sea surface temperatures will be far warmer than the overlying air temperatures.
—
Marshall Shepherd, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Contaminated sediment can release PFAS back into the overlying water, where fish and aquatic birds can ingest it.
—Christy Remucal, The Conversation, 28 Jan. 2026
These pulses, the team says, are closely tied to overlying tectonic plates and play a key role in the slow rifting of the African continent.
—Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 2 July 2025
During the extraction of the overlying rock, which spans many miles and dates to the Early Jurassic period, fossil footprints such as these can be found.
—Taylor Nicioli, CNN, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overlie
Marshall Shepherd, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Contaminated sediment can release PFAS back into the overlying water, where fish and aquatic birds can ingest it.
—Christy Remucal, The Conversation, 28 Jan. 2026
These pulses, the team says, are closely tied to overlying tectonic plates and play a key role in the slow rifting of the African continent.
—Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 2 July 2025
During the extraction of the overlying rock, which spans many miles and dates to the Early Jurassic period, fossil footprints such as these can be found.
—Taylor Nicioli, CNN, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overlie
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overlie
Verb
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Holy Week will overlap with Passover, the Jewish holiday marking the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt.—
Julia Gomez,
USA Today,
29 Mar. 2026
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The Christian holiday of Easter falls on Sunday, April 5, this year, overlapping with the Jewish holiday.—
Bailey Allen,
Cape Cod Times,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The churros are being coated with blue sugar, a nod to World Series champs.—
Kara Finnstrom,
CBS News,
26 Mar. 2026
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Re-whisk dressing if needed; drizzle ⅓ cup dressing over salad and toss to coat.—
Rebecca Firkser,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Be sure to cover your head and neck with your arms, and crawl under a sturdy table if possible.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
26 Mar. 2026
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The plan would cover other aspects of ICE as well as Customs and Border Protection.—
LISA MASCARO,
Arkansas Online,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Overlie.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overlie. Accessed 30 Mar. 2026.
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