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
-
The areas that see the most violations overlapped with some of Milwaukee's poorest ZIP codes.—
Anna Kleiber,
jsonline.com,
17 Oct. 2025 -
In 2010 when Democrats controlled the Indiana House, the party held nine of the 11 districts that touched the state’s border, including two that overlapped with Perry County.—
Kayla Dwyer,
IndyStar,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Reduce the heat to medium-high and pour in the hoisin mixture, stirring constantly until the beef is fully coated in sauce, about 1 minute.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
28 Oct. 2025
-
Add fennel, apples, celery, parsley, and fennel fronds to dressing, tossing until coated.—
Elizabeth Nelson,
Southern Living,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The living room walls in Paulsen’s home are covered in framed photos of Kelly and their kids.—
Jourdan Rodrigue,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Smart-casual works almost everywhere, but dress modestly (elbows, knees covered) in heritage spots.—
Manal Albarakati,
semafor.com,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Another prominent shoe style was a platform knee-high boot which overlaid a lace-up shaft onto a base that looked like a towering pump, with a cut out leaving an open space in the back.—
Jaden Thompson,
Footwear News,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Typically, these formations have porous rock layers overlaid by impermeable rock that blocks upward movement.—
Tejasri Gururaj,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Oct. 2025
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.
Cite this Entry
“Overlain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overlain. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share