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
Meissner disagreed with Levi, warning that 80% of children hospitalized with RSV are healthy with no underlying conditions.
—
Nicole Brown Chau, CBS News, 26 June 2025
Yet, while nuclear is back in the political spotlight, the underlying issue goes deeper: energy systems are under pressure, and existing planning, operational, and market structures are struggling to keep pace.
—Elena Bou, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
Dylan, whose influence on the folk genre and use of underlying political themes revolutionized the music industry, first began creating visual art in the 1960s but only publicly started sharing his work in 2007.
—Rachel Raposas, People.com, 24 June 2025
Your doctor may also run tests to look for an underlying condition like PCOS, a thyroid abnormality, or endometriosis that may need to be treated or managed with, potentially, medications or surgery.
—Julia Ries, SELF, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for underlying
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Nicole Brown Chau, CBS News, 26 June 2025
Yet, while nuclear is back in the political spotlight, the underlying issue goes deeper: energy systems are under pressure, and existing planning, operational, and market structures are struggling to keep pace.
—Elena Bou, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
Dylan, whose influence on the folk genre and use of underlying political themes revolutionized the music industry, first began creating visual art in the 1960s but only publicly started sharing his work in 2007.
—Rachel Raposas, People.com, 24 June 2025
Your doctor may also run tests to look for an underlying condition like PCOS, a thyroid abnormality, or endometriosis that may need to be treated or managed with, potentially, medications or surgery.
—Julia Ries, SELF, 23 June 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 30 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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