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superimpose

verb
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su·​per·​im·​pose | \ ˌsü-pər-im-ˈpōz How to pronounce superimpose (audio) \
superimposed; superimposing; superimposes

Definition of superimpose

transitive verb

: to place or lay over or above something superimposed images
Other Words from superimpose Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about superimpose

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Other Words from superimpose

superimposition \ ˌsü-​pər-​ˌim-​pə-​ˈzi-​shən How to pronounce superimpose (audio) \ noun

Did You Know?

Superimposition was one of the magical effects employed by early filmmakers. Using "mirror shots", with semitransparent mirrors set at 45° angles to the scene, they would superimpose shadowy images of ghosts or scenes from a character's past onto scenes from the present. Superimposing your own ideas on something, such as a historical event, has to be done carefully, since your ideas may change whenever you learn something new about the event.

Examples of superimpose in a Sentence

A triangle superimposed on an inverted triangle forms a six-pointed star.
Recent Examples on the Web The company also released Together mode, which uses artificial intelligence to cut out each person on a video chat, and superimpose them all against a shared background. — Katherine Bindley, WSJ, "Tech’s Next Big Task: Taking the Office Water Cooler Virtual," 6 Sep. 2020 So the historical record doesn't necessarily superimpose perfectly onto the present—but those differences make the future look more, not less, dire. — Cathleen O'grady, Ars Technica, "New data indicates the Mississippi Delta is on borrowed time," 28 May 2020 Think: women splayed out on the subway station benches in silk gowns and pearls or, for Lapierre’s latest collection, classic paintings of women by Vittorio Reggianini, each superimposed with surgical face masks. — Eliza Huber, refinery29.com, "The Beautiful World Of Timothée Chalamet Instagram Art," 20 May 2020 The veteran actor, who portrays U.S. President Thomas J. Whitmore in the 1996 film, responded to the virtual tweet showing Trump's face superimposed on Pullman's body. — Rosy Cordero, EW.com, "Bill Pullman reclaims voice from Donald Trump's Independence Day deepfake video," 17 May 2020 The new speech featured his head superimposed over former fighter pilot and Gulf War veteran President Thomas J. Whitmore, played by Bill Pullman. — Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY, "President Trump co-opts inspirational 'Independence Day' speech; Bill Pullman vetoes effort," 17 May 2020 By using location services, the app allows users to evaluate their own homes, with floodwaters graphically superimposed over the property. — Daniel Cusick, Scientific American, "This App Shows Storm Surge Damage Before Flooding Begins," 14 May 2020 The images are superimposed on a blue and yellow replica of the People's Flag of Milwaukee. — Jordyn Noennig, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "This 'Milwaukee Strong' image that has been shared thousands of times was created by a Leinenkugel," 27 Feb. 2020 Images can then be superimposed onto them in a live TV broadcast. — The Economist, "Hoarding cash Admen have a clever new way to trick sports fans," 15 Feb. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'superimpose.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of superimpose

1611, in the meaning defined above

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Time Traveler for superimpose

Time Traveler

The first known use of superimpose was in 1611

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Cite this Entry

“Superimpose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/superimpose. Accessed 24 Jan. 2021.

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More Definitions for superimpose

superimpose

verb
How to pronounce superimpose (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of superimpose

: to place or lay (something) over something else

See the full definition for superimpose in the English Language Learners Dictionary

More from Merriam-Webster on superimpose

Nglish: Translation of superimpose for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of superimpose for Arabic Speakers

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