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 underlying whiskey blend shows its character with some herbaceousness, with touches of barrel char, cocoa powder, and rye-forward spice to keep things from veering too much into luscious fruity territory.
—
David Thomas Tao, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026
On an untreated surface, the margin between removing sulfur atoms and damaging the underlying molybdenum layer is extremely small, meaning some ions can easily cause unwanted damage.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 21 June 2026
Although our modern fights are different, many of the same underlying issues remain — entrenched biases, efforts to limit women’s roles and rights, attacks on women’s autonomy, and attempts to raise doubts on women’s abilities, especially those of Black women.
—Jocelyn Frye, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 June 2026
The underlying message of the new research is not to panic but act with urgency, Burkhard said.
—Kasha Patel, CNN Money, 19 June 2026
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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David Thomas Tao, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026
On an untreated surface, the margin between removing sulfur atoms and damaging the underlying molybdenum layer is extremely small, meaning some ions can easily cause unwanted damage.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 21 June 2026
Although our modern fights are different, many of the same underlying issues remain — entrenched biases, efforts to limit women’s roles and rights, attacks on women’s autonomy, and attempts to raise doubts on women’s abilities, especially those of Black women.
—Jocelyn Frye, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 June 2026
The underlying message of the new research is not to panic but act with urgency, Burkhard said.
—Kasha Patel, CNN Money, 19 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for underlying
Cite this Entry
“Underlying.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underlying. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
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
