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
Relevance
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
Verb
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Harbaugh is familiar with Vrabel’s style after the final four seasons of the former quarterback’s playing career in the late 1990s overlapped with the start of Vrabel’s NFL career.—
Greg Dudek,
Boston Herald,
6 Jan. 2026 -
Season 4 of Mayor of Kingstown overlapped with new seasons of Landman (Season 2) and Tulsa King (Season 3) being released on Paramount+.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Unlike traditional cast-iron skillets, this one is coated in a black satin enamel that prevents food from sticking to the bottom, resists rust, and doesn’t require seasoning or regular upkeep.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
7 Jan. 2026
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Meet the expert Backstage at Anna Sui, models’ lashes were coated in layers of turquoise mascara, while at The Blonds, models sported dramatic, feathery falsies saturated in a shade of shocking pink.—
Ariel Wodarcyk,
InStyle,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Later that day, the parents of other dancers and talent-show participants complained that my afro had covered up their kids on-screen.—
Questlove,
The Atlantic,
7 Nov. 2025
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The designer, known for his sustainable approach to fashion, made the Mudac’s modernist building pop with a selection of his exuberant beaded creations, and covered an entire room in recycled colored plastic balls in a preview of his upcoming venture into interior design.—
Joelle Diderich,
Footwear News,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The Calm team worked with the film’s sound designer, Lee Salevan, and composer Bryce Dessner, utilizing the film’s sound stems and score cues overlaid with sections of dialogue from Bentley and Greg Kwedar’s script.—
Dana Harris-Bridson,
IndieWire,
7 Nov. 2025
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The photos show her in the ballet studio and are overlaid with text describing how her body has changed since giving birth.—
Kayla Grant,
PEOPLE,
4 Nov. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Overlain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overlain. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026.
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