underlie
verb
un·der·lie
ˌən-dər-ˈlī 
underlay
ˌən-dər-ˈlā
; underlain
ˌən-dər-ˈlān
; underlying
ˌən-dər-ˈlī-iŋ
; underlain
ˌən-dər-ˈlān
; underlying
ˌən-dər-ˈlī-iŋ
Examples of underlie in a Sentence
A tile floor underlies the rug.
The river is underlain by limestone.
We discussed the principles that underlay their methods.
A theme of revenge underlies much of her writing.
Recent Examples on the Web
And the technology underlying generative AI chatbots lets hoaxers spoof election websites or spawn pretend news sites in a matter of seconds and on a mammoth scale.
—
Mekela Panditharatne, TIME, 10 Apr. 2024
The scramble for solutions The rise in job vacancies and worker shortages reflects several underlying trends.
—Miglė Petrauskaitė, Fortune, 10 Apr. 2024
That's why the Citizens Utility Board of Wisconsin will want the PSC to closely review the assumptions that underlie We Energies' proposals and ensure that no more is spent than necessary, said Tom Content, the consumer watchdog group's executive director.
—Karl Ebert, Journal Sentinel, 8 Apr. 2024
If, despite your efforts, pain persists, don't ignore it—chat with your doctor to check for underlying causes.
—Hilary Tetenbaum, Detroit Free Press, 8 Apr. 2024
Take Care of Employees’ Needs First A pizza party might be received well by the employees of one company and terribly by another — the difference largely comes down to the underlying culture.
—Jason Hennessey, Rolling Stone, 5 Apr. 2024
But the underlying details do provide insights into potential shifts that may affect the mix of hiring and commercial activity going forward.
—Talmon Joseph Smith, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2024
Your vet will consider factors such as the severity of the infection, any underlying health conditions, and any potential allergies or sensitivities your dog may have.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024
But Artifact’s underlying tech for categorizing, curating, and personalizing content will soon start to show up on Yahoo News — and eventually on other Yahoo platforms, too.
—David Pierce, The Verge, 2 Apr. 2024
Mekela Panditharatne, TIME, 10 Apr. 2024
The scramble for solutions The rise in job vacancies and worker shortages reflects several underlying trends.
—Miglė Petrauskaitė, Fortune, 10 Apr. 2024
That's why the Citizens Utility Board of Wisconsin will want the PSC to closely review the assumptions that underlie We Energies' proposals and ensure that no more is spent than necessary, said Tom Content, the consumer watchdog group's executive director.
—Karl Ebert, Journal Sentinel, 8 Apr. 2024
If, despite your efforts, pain persists, don't ignore it—chat with your doctor to check for underlying causes.
—Hilary Tetenbaum, Detroit Free Press, 8 Apr. 2024
Take Care of Employees’ Needs First A pizza party might be received well by the employees of one company and terribly by another — the difference largely comes down to the underlying culture.
—Jason Hennessey, Rolling Stone, 5 Apr. 2024
But the underlying details do provide insights into potential shifts that may affect the mix of hiring and commercial activity going forward.
—Talmon Joseph Smith, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2024
Your vet will consider factors such as the severity of the infection, any underlying health conditions, and any potential allergies or sensitivities your dog may have.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024
But Artifact’s underlying tech for categorizing, curating, and personalizing content will soon start to show up on Yahoo News — and eventually on other Yahoo platforms, too.
—David Pierce, The Verge, 2 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'underlie.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near underlie
Cite this Entry
“Underlie.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underlie. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
underlie
verb
un·der·lie
ˌən-dər-ˈlī
1
: to lie or be located under
2
: to form the foundation of : support
ideas underlying the revolution
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