overlap 1 of 2

as in lapping
a partial covering of one thing by an adjoining member the orthodontist will try to fix that overlap of two of your upper incisors

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overlap

2 of 2

verb

as in to overlie
to lie over parts of one another the brochures on the display table should overlap but not so much that the titles are obscured

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of overlap
Noun
However, because the animals' natural habitats share some overlap and both have similarly docile dispositions, zoos often group howlers and capybaras together. Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 3 Oct. 2025 When asked about the overlap of Sosh-Lightsy’s firing and FIRE’s data showing MTSU students' discomfort expressing controversial ideas, Paulson said the law was likely on MTSU’s side in this case. Angele Latham, Nashville Tennessean, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
Diagnosing hypogonadism can be challenging, however, because the symptoms are sometimes non-specific and may overlap with other medical conditions. Shiv Sudhakar, FOXNews.com, 4 Oct. 2025 Once those long reads are obtained, powerful bioinformatics software is used to build longer stretches of contiguous sequence by overlapping reads that share the same sequence of bases. IEEE Spectrum, 2 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for overlap
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overlap
Noun
  • The lapping of the sea at our language is not a difficult concept to fathom.
    Adrian Vore, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Earth’s substantial atmosphere and geomagnetic field block most (but not all) of this bombardment, and the sunless interiors of worlds without these properties still get protection from overlying material.
    Emma R. Hasson, Scientific American, 17 Aug. 2025
  • This upward surge of water fractured the overlying ice sheet, creating new channels for the water to escape.
    Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 31 July 2025
Verb
  • As waves lap against jetties, gossip ripples to adjacent towns.
    Bryan West, USA Today, 29 Sep. 2025
  • Sea views pour into the main deck too, where a silvery metal ceiling ripples with the tactility of lapping waves.
    Tristan Rutherford, Robb Report, 26 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Typically, these formations have porous rock layers overlaid by impermeable rock that blocks upward movement.
    Tejasri Gururaj, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Podlesí is notorious for its boring atmosphere, overlaying everything like a thick blanket.
    Zuzana Říhová, Literary Hub, 26 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Overlap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overlap. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

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