1
2
as in to overlap
to lie over parts of one another cedar shingles overlaying one another on the roof

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 overlay The pins appear to march through the entire valley, overlaying each other and clustering at the locations of ranches and farms. Sacbee.com, 18 Sep. 2025 The sound department actually played the music that would overlay the scene as Dockery acted. Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 11 Sep. 2025 At its core, Caption with Intention is a novel captioning design system which aims to significantly augment several critical points of failure within traditional captioning by overlaying animation, color and variable typography to bring the text to life. Gus Alexiou, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025 The author overlays the bleak downtown’s empty storefronts, the rundown houses and harsh economics with the landscape’s sheer beauty. Oline H. Cogdill, Sun Sentinel, 21 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for overlay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overlay
Verb
  • This one-of-a-kind chicken is made by marinating tender all-white meat chicken in jalapeño buttermilk flavor, which is then coated in a crispy, crunchy blend of tortilla chip crumbs and breadcrumbs.
    Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 15 Oct. 2025
  • Taco Bell’s crispy chicken is white meat marinated in jalapeño buttermilk and coated in breadcrumbs and tortilla chips.
    Helena Wegner, Miami Herald, 14 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Ironically, Nvidia also unveiled a similar collaboration with OpenAI back in September — prompting some analysts to question whether these overlapping deals are creating circular revenue streams that could eventually come under scrutiny.
    Benzinga, Freep.com, 11 Oct. 2025
  • On one occasion, Robinson even overlapped Weah in the final third.
    Paul Tenorio, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • With over a decade-long career in journalism, Neetika Walter has worked with The Economic Times, ANI, and Hindustan Times, covering politics, business, technology, and the clean energy sector.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Haley Willis is a Times reporter with the Visual Investigations team, covering conflict, corruption and human rights.
    Danny Makki, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The skies opened into sheeting rain as the minister gave his greeting; this was followed by thunder and an explosion of lightning.
    Ann Patchett, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025
  • The flooding began with a heavy downpour that sent water sheeting off the hillsides and into creeks.
    Hatim Sharif, The Conversation, 5 July 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Overlay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overlay. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on overlay

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!