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
Geologists have long suspected that Afar is underlain by a mantle plume, a pillar of upwelling hot material that is helping to drive apart the overlying crust.
—
Ian Randall, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 June 2025
This finding indicates that the ecosystem was no longer being sustained by the nutrients from the hydrothermal system being released into the overlying ocean.
—David Bressan, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
Mantle plumes are convectional upwellings of hot material from the deep mantle that can cause localized melting and deformations to the overlying crust.
—New Atlas, 19 Apr. 2025
Much of the Floridan Aquifer is shielded significantly from downward migration of pollution by overlying layers of dense, impermeable clay.
—Kevin Spear, Orlando Sentinel, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overlie
Ian Randall, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 June 2025
This finding indicates that the ecosystem was no longer being sustained by the nutrients from the hydrothermal system being released into the overlying ocean.
—David Bressan, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
Mantle plumes are convectional upwellings of hot material from the deep mantle that can cause localized melting and deformations to the overlying crust.
—New Atlas, 19 Apr. 2025
Much of the Floridan Aquifer is shielded significantly from downward migration of pollution by overlying layers of dense, impermeable clay.
—Kevin Spear, Orlando Sentinel, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overlie
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overlie
Verb
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Ironically, Nvidia also unveiled a similar collaboration with OpenAI back in September — prompting some analysts to question whether these overlapping deals are creating circular revenue streams that could eventually come under scrutiny.—
Benzinga,
Freep.com,
11 Oct. 2025
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On one occasion, Robinson even overlapped Weah in the final third.—
Paul Tenorio,
New York Times,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
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This one-of-a-kind chicken is made by marinating tender all-white meat chicken in jalapeño buttermilk flavor, which is then coated in a crispy, crunchy blend of tortilla chip crumbs and breadcrumbs.—
Abigail Wilt,
Southern Living,
15 Oct. 2025
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Taco Bell’s crispy chicken is white meat marinated in jalapeño buttermilk and coated in breadcrumbs and tortilla chips.—
Helena Wegner,
Miami Herald,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
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With over a decade-long career in journalism, Neetika Walter has worked with The Economic Times, ANI, and Hindustan Times, covering politics, business, technology, and the clean energy sector.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Oct. 2025
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Haley Willis is a Times reporter with the Visual Investigations team, covering conflict, corruption and human rights.—
Danny Makki,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Overlie.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overlie. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.
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