1
as in to coat
to form a layer over
you should apply a coat of primer first, and then overlay it with two coats of paint
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 lightest is then used for the sidewall overlays, lace cover and the laces themselves, while the upper’s base and tongue serves as the middleground.
—
Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 23 Feb. 2026
Dissonant chords are overlaid with misty reverberation.
—Linnie Greene, Pitchfork, 17 Feb. 2026
As music played in the background, overlaying captions appeared on screen beside Bader, 30, who underwent bariatric surgery in December 2023.
—Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 3 Feb. 2026
Almost like a strata, this satisfying casserole features dense multigrain bread on the bottom, overlaid with chicken, aromatic vegetables, Parmesan cheese, and cream sauce.
—Lynn Andriani, Martha Stewart, 25 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for overlay
Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 23 Feb. 2026
Dissonant chords are overlaid with misty reverberation.
—Linnie Greene, Pitchfork, 17 Feb. 2026
As music played in the background, overlaying captions appeared on screen beside Bader, 30, who underwent bariatric surgery in December 2023.
—Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 3 Feb. 2026
Almost like a strata, this satisfying casserole features dense multigrain bread on the bottom, overlaid with chicken, aromatic vegetables, Parmesan cheese, and cream sauce.
—Lynn Andriani, Martha Stewart, 25 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for overlay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overlay
Verb
-
The signature Hula pie, featuring macadamia nut ice cream coated with an outer chocolate crust and drizzled with chocolate fudge, will return to the dessert menu.—
Angela Osorio,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Dusting windshields, coating sidewalks and veiling Atlanta’s spring sunshine in a golden haze.—
Nancy Badertscher,
AJC.com,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Largely funded by Proposition 1, the project aims to address overlapping homelessness and mental health crises by integrating all care levels on campus.—
Andrew Khouri,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
-
On top lies the picotage technique as well as a pattern of overlapping black circles, that is both enclosing and creating space while also keeping out.—
Noelle Alviz-Gransee
March 6,
Kansas City Star,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The facility had been recently hardened with a concrete shell and then covered with soil in the months before the current conflict.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Even with the massive emergency release, analysts said that strategic reserves can cover only a fraction of the supply loss if the conflict dragged on.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Reroll the dough sheets away from you into cylinders and loosely pinch them closed.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 Dec. 2025
-
Save your time and check out the most popular coffee makers, electric toothbrushes, and sheets our readers are loving, just in time for gift-giving season.—
Jacqueline Tempera,
PEOPLE,
9 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Overlay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overlay. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
