overlain

verb

past participle of overlie
1
as in overlapped
to lie over parts of one another the puzzle pieces overlay one another in complete disarray on the floor

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in coated
to form a layer over there will be freezing rain tonight, so we can expect to find a thick layer of ice overlying the car windshield in the morning

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for overlain
  1. overlapped
  2. coated
  3. covered
  4. overlaid
Verb
  • Our districts overlapped in western Fairfax County, and among other benefits, jointly led town hall meetings made efficient use of our constituents’ time.
    — Letters to the Editor, Washington Post, 27 Aug. 2026
  • That progressive sociopolitical stance is evident from the beginning of her career, which overlapped with the emergence of the women’s liberation movement.
    — Maria Sherman, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of overlapped
Verb
  • Dredge each piece of chicken in the flour until well coated on both sides, shaking off any excess.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 Aug. 2026
  • To help out with that legibility, the hour and minutes hands are coated in Super-LumiNova, alongside touches of white lacquer in the 30-minute counter and the small second hand.
    — Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of coated
Verb
  • The one that looked like it was covered with giant farfalle pasta bows?
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Before-and-after images aired by state broadcaster China Central Television showed a multistory building and more than a dozen vehicles covered in mud.
    — Shristi Kafle, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of covered
Verb
  • Violet helleborines are incredibly picky orchids, requiring a mature beech forest growing on a clay soil overlaid on chalk.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 Aug. 2026
  • This is overlaid with twee elements that might be part of the mid ’00 nostalgia in the air.
    — Vogue, Vogue, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of overlaid
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.

Browse Nearby Words

overlaid
overlain
overlap
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Cite this Entry

“Overlain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overlain. Accessed 28 Aug. 2026.

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