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
The new vaccine is set to be used for adults 65 or older or people between the ages of 12 and 64 with at least one or more underlying risk factor as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
—
Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 June 2025
Many are not ready to return Patrick Mignon, a sports sociologist and author, says that eruptions of violence around sporting events in Paris reflect the underlying mistrust that exists between the police and disaffected young people from the city’s disadvantaged suburbs.
—Tom Williams, New York Times, 2 June 2025
If it’s been identified that your jaw clenching is actually the result of an underlying sleep disorder (such as sleep apnea), treating the sleep disorder (under the supervision of a sleep medicine specialist) could help correct the teeth grinding problem, says Schultz.
—Caroline C. Boyle, USA Today, 1 June 2025
Nvidia's Jensen Huang and Anthropic's Dario Amodei, despite their contrasting tones, are both broadcasting the same underlying truth: evolve or risk becoming obsolete.
—Julian Hayes Ii, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for underlying
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 June 2025
Many are not ready to return Patrick Mignon, a sports sociologist and author, says that eruptions of violence around sporting events in Paris reflect the underlying mistrust that exists between the police and disaffected young people from the city’s disadvantaged suburbs.
—Tom Williams, New York Times, 2 June 2025
If it’s been identified that your jaw clenching is actually the result of an underlying sleep disorder (such as sleep apnea), treating the sleep disorder (under the supervision of a sleep medicine specialist) could help correct the teeth grinding problem, says Schultz.
—Caroline C. Boyle, USA Today, 1 June 2025
Nvidia's Jensen Huang and Anthropic's Dario Amodei, despite their contrasting tones, are both broadcasting the same underlying truth: evolve or risk becoming obsolete.
—Julian Hayes Ii, Forbes.com, 31 May 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 10 Jun. 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?
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