as in basic
of or relating to the simplest facts or theories of a subject
the underlying differences between democracy and dictatorship
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in supporting
to lie underneath
A layer of rock underlies the topsoil.
Related Words
2
as in grounding
to form the basis or foundation of (something, such as an idea)
The assumption that underlies their argument is faulty.
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of underlying
Daryl Austin, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025
The mother-in-law even offered to pay for the woman’s share of the bachelorette weekend, but that didn't solve the underlying issues.
—Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 20 Oct. 2025
Lauren Giella, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
Even the most basic plain-vanilla checking account carries an underlying cost for transaction processing and maintenance, estimated between $200 and $400 annually.
—Peter Su, Rolling Stone, 20 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for underlying
Adjective
Habitually sleeping more than nine or ten hours has been linked to higher risks of obesity, metabolic problems and even mortality, though such findings may reflect underlying health issues rather than sleep itself.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025
The mother-in-law even offered to pay for the woman’s share of the bachelorette weekend, but that didn't solve the underlying issues.
—Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 20 Oct. 2025
Verb
According to the complaint, Ascension Health consistently declined to submit the grievance to arbitration, stating that the underlying grievance is not arbitrable.
—Lauren Giella, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
Even the most basic plain-vanilla checking account carries an underlying cost for transaction processing and maintenance, estimated between $200 and $400 annually.
—Peter Su, Rolling Stone, 20 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for underlying
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underlying
Adjective
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In March 2025, Chelsea gave PEOPLE an exclusive update on Max's health journey, explaining that their son has had to relearn basic functions and attend physical therapy.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
26 Oct. 2025
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Those wanting to stream the show live can do so with a Peacock premium subscription or stream new episodes the next day with a basic Peacock subscription.—
Kaycee Sloan,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The plaintiffs argue the federal government is legally required to continue supporting SNAP, even amid the government shutdown.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
29 Oct. 2025
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The organization has raised more than $20 million for charities supporting children in need over the past decade.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Mental health experts suggest that hands-on hobbies like knitting, puzzle-making, and baking foster mindfulness and reduce anxiety by activating our senses, grounding us in the moment, and shifting focus from perfection to process.—
Alesandra Dubin,
Southern Living,
21 Oct. 2025
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Layers of spice mingle with papyrus to evoke antique paper, while cedar adds grounding warmth.—
Michael Stefanov,
Robb Report,
14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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His clips are pretty rudimentary tributes to guys like Thomas Sankara, the former Prime Minister of Burkina Faso, shouting them out with highlight reels and songs by 100 gecs and Jersey club collective TwerkNation28.—
Kieran Press-Reynolds,
Pitchfork,
24 Oct. 2025
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Adelman has no intention of limiting the Lithuanian center to such a rudimentary style, though.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Enabling continuous power while driving can transform the economics of electrifying freight, and establishing the manufacturing of ERS components supports regional industrial capacity.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Oct. 2025
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The latest controls aim to tighten its grip on the supply chains that move rare earths from mine to market—and preempt other nations from establishing their own.—
Young Kim,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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At Nashoba Public School, in a rural part of southeast Oklahoma where there’s little else but timber and twisting roads, the roughly 50 kids who make up the elementary and middle grades are taught in split-grade classrooms.—
Jennifer Smith Richards,
ProPublica,
22 Oct. 2025
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After more or less abandoning philosophy at the end of the First World War, Ludwig trained to be an elementary-school teacher, spent time as a gardener’s assistant in a monastery, and then taught in small towns in rural Austria.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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But Putin has not shifted from the hard-line demands underpinning his war.—
Alexander Smith,
NBC news,
22 Oct. 2025
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Ofcom has announced that this will not change, but the regulator has updated guidance underpinning these rules following an industry consultation.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
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His campaign has drawn high-profile endorsements from Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Bernie Sanders, reinforcing his status as the left’s standard-bearer in the race.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
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The images are complemented by a throwback-style video recorded with early 2000s camcorder technology, reinforcing Re/Done’s typical affinity for vintage visuals.—
Renan Botelho,
Footwear News,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Underlying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underlying. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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