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
Relevance
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
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
-
Lyons experienced that challenge firsthand during her second attempt, which overlapped with training for the Boston Marathon.—
Lily Hautau,
CNN Money,
21 Mar. 2026
-
If their season overlaps with your visit, attending a match will give you a glimpse into the city’s year-round soccer community.—
Taylor Haught,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Add the flour and stir to coat.—
Robin Miller,
AZCentral.com,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Everything—from the squat, one-story structure to the station wagon parked outside—had been coated in the same uneven layer of white paint, as if someone had tried, hurriedly, to erase it from the landscape.—
Adam Ciralsky,
Vanity Fair,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
With a simple tank-swapping system and the ability to fly for several hours, these drones can effectively cover more ground than a human operator’s typical workday.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Voters were being asked for $40 million to cover construction costs of the indoor facility.—
Alicia Fabbre,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Overlie.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overlie. Accessed 23 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
