underlying
adjective
un·der·ly·ing
ˌən-dər-ˈlī-iŋ 
1
a
: lying beneath or below
the underlying rock is shale
b
: basic, fundamental
an investigation of the underlying issues
2
: evident only on close inspection : implicit
3
: anterior and prior in claim
underlying mortgage
4
: of or being present in deep structure
underlying word order
Examples of underlying in a Sentence
the ocean and the underlying rock
the underlying differences between democracy and dictatorship
Recent Examples on the Web
Goldman Sachs analysts indicated that at least so far, the rise in stock prices has been accompanied by solid underlying growth.
—
Jared Gans, The Hill, 14 Oct. 2025
Aaron Scott, a partner at Dechert in London, noted that CLOs issued since 2013 benefit from improved structural protections put in place in the years following the 2008 Global Financial Crisis — such as lower leverage, stricter ratings criteria and tougher tests on the underlying loan collateral.
—Hugh Leask, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2025
An OpenAI spokesperson declined to comment on how the company will finance the chips, but the underlying idea is that more computing power will let the company sell more services.
—Jessica Coacci, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2025
Sugar cravings are normal on their own and don't indicate an underlying health problem.
—Jamie Johnson, Verywell Health, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for underlying
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Jared Gans, The Hill, 14 Oct. 2025
Aaron Scott, a partner at Dechert in London, noted that CLOs issued since 2013 benefit from improved structural protections put in place in the years following the 2008 Global Financial Crisis — such as lower leverage, stricter ratings criteria and tougher tests on the underlying loan collateral.
—Hugh Leask, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2025
An OpenAI spokesperson declined to comment on how the company will finance the chips, but the underlying idea is that more computing power will let the company sell more services.
—Jessica Coacci, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2025
Sugar cravings are normal on their own and don't indicate an underlying health problem.
—Jamie Johnson, Verywell Health, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for underlying
Cite this Entry
“Underlying.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underlying. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
underlying
adjective
un·der·ly·ing
ˌən-dər-ˌlī-iŋ
1
: lying under or below
the underlying rock
Medical Definition
underlying
adjective
un·der·ly·ing
-ˌlī-iŋ
: serving as a basis or cause (as of secondary symptoms)
the underlying brain malformation that caused the hydrocephalus—R. M. Henig
R. M. HenigLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share