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
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Recent Examples of overlie
The peak itself is the glaciated remains of an old volcano, overlying the granite block which dominates the Sierra farther south, according to the Donner Summit Association.
—
Lauren Chapman, Sacbee.com, 18 Feb. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for overlie
Lauren Chapman, Sacbee.com, 18 Feb. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for overlie
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overlie
Verb
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Some specific malware and IP addresses, including the one from Vladivostok, overlapped with infrastructure previously used by North Korean actors.—
Jessica Klein,
PC Magazine,
11 Apr. 2026
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Like most of Big Mistakes, this scene is noisy, jam-packed with fast cuts and overlapping dialogue and edited within an inch of its life.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Start simple with soft sourdough and chili oil for dipping or tartare with crispy chips before diving into a cheesy smashburger or ribbons of pasta coated in a creamy mushroom-herb sauce.—
Jennifer Stewart Kornegay,
Southern Living,
9 Apr. 2026
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The show’s name referred to their self-identification as helpless babies overwhelmed by the pressures of modernity, comforted only by coating themselves in fancy serums and moisturizers to recreate the peaceful, placental insulation of the womb.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 Apr. 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,
9 Apr. 2026
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Crouch, who suffered a debilitating brain aneurysm a decade ago, also has Medicare, which covers people who are 65 or older or have disabilities.—
Sam Whitehead,
CBS News,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Overlie.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overlie. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
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