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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Dominic Patten, Deadline, 26 Feb. 2026
Like a good outfit, the brand's campaign leans into the overlap between fashion and identity, framing reading as another way to express yourself, spark a connection between strangers, or make a statement.
—Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 25 Feb. 2026
Yasmin Tayag, The Atlantic, 25 Feb. 2026
Pelton, who serves as the minority caucus chair in the state Senate, represents Sterling and northeastern Colorado, a district that overlaps with Boebert’s congressional district.
—Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 24 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for overlap
Noun
There will be a lot of layoffs as Paramount, which has TV muscle, packs on the studio and streaming pounds WBD carry and all the overlap that will result.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 26 Feb. 2026
Like a good outfit, the brand's campaign leans into the overlap between fashion and identity, framing reading as another way to express yourself, spark a connection between strangers, or make a statement.
—Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 25 Feb. 2026
Verb
Still, the combination of hazy diagnostic criteria and overlapping symptoms means that many older Americans with ADHD very likely don’t have a diagnosis.
—Yasmin Tayag, The Atlantic, 25 Feb. 2026
Pelton, who serves as the minority caucus chair in the state Senate, represents Sterling and northeastern Colorado, a district that overlaps with Boebert’s congressional district.
—Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 24 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for overlap
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overlap
Noun
-
From my perch on a sun lounger, Friendship Bay stretches out below me – the curve of the powdery sand beach, the impossible blue of the sea and the calming lapping of the waves against the shore.—
Rebekah Evans,
TheWeek,
5 Feb. 2026
-
As Amanyara’s resident wellness expert guided me through a sound healing session and harmonized the vibrations of a Tibetan singing bowl, the lapping of the ocean waves seemed to still.—
Carley Rojas Avila,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
However, those sea surface temperatures will be far warmer than the overlying air temperatures.—
Marshall Shepherd,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Contaminated sediment can release PFAS back into the overlying water, where fish and aquatic birds can ingest it.—
Christy Remucal,
The Conversation,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Sand Harbor State Park A hair under an hour from Reno, Lake Tahoe’s most photogenic shoreline features clear, turquoise water lapping against smooth granite boulders and an expansive, sandy beach seemingly flown in from Turks & Caicos.—
Ted Alvarez,
Outside,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Sorry, dudes, the ladies ran laps around you tonight.—
José Criales-Unzueta,
Vanity Fair,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Especially for Deaf audiences for whom ASL is their first language, overlaid interpretation remains rare but can offer more nuance in context, emotion, and tone, address language deprivation, increase comprehension, and reduce cognitive overload and lags in information delivery.—
Abbey White,
IndieWire,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Interview Coder was a transparent window that could overlay one side of a Zoom meeting, allowing Claude to listen in on the questions and provide answers.—
Sam Kriss,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Overlap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overlap. Accessed 5 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
