1
as in coats
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
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2
as in overlaps
to lie over parts of one another
cedar shingles overlaying one another on the roof
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of overlays
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
Surgeons operated from a cockpit in the operating room, using an input device that provided real-time augmentation, overlays, and tactile paddles while viewing a 3D monitor fed by multimodal imaging.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 4 Dec. 2025
For example, in one platform’s presentation, none of the content demonstrated was localized into English, and video clips shown were not stripped of the extensive Japanese text overlays that are a hallmark of Japanese television, despite the platform being meant for international producers.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 6 Nov. 2025
Goldman is recommending adding downside hedges such as S & P 500 options overlays with drawdown probabilities at current levels.
—Yun Li, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2025
Layer Stretch is an additional control for all scene layers and overlays to manipulate an input or graphic.
—Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 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
Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 23 Feb. 2026
Surgeons operated from a cockpit in the operating room, using an input device that provided real-time augmentation, overlays, and tactile paddles while viewing a 3D monitor fed by multimodal imaging.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 4 Dec. 2025
For example, in one platform’s presentation, none of the content demonstrated was localized into English, and video clips shown were not stripped of the extensive Japanese text overlays that are a hallmark of Japanese television, despite the platform being meant for international producers.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 6 Nov. 2025
Goldman is recommending adding downside hedges such as S & P 500 options overlays with drawdown probabilities at current levels.
—Yun Li, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2025
Layer Stretch is an additional control for all scene layers and overlays to manipulate an input or graphic.
—Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overlays
Verb
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The employee then coats the bite-size pieces in syrups and other toppings.—
Jenna Thompson
April 8,
Kansas City Star,
8 Apr. 2026
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Once the sauce is glossy and coats the back of a spoon, remove from heat.—
Tribune News Service,
Baltimore Sun,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But although transphobia overlaps with homophobia, Charlesworth and Finkel argue that trans backlash is not the primary reason for rising anti-gay sentiment.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
27 Mar. 2026
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Another partnership with Dallas ISD overlaps education with clinical services.—
Lina Ruiz,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Irene Wright covers the governor's race in Georgia as the Atlanta Connect reporter with USA Today’s Deep South Connect team.—
Irene Wright,
USA Today,
10 Apr. 2026
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Republicans’ stance on pesticides has been a key point of contention in negotiations for the federal Farm Bill, which covers everything from food security programs to farm subsidies.—
Thomas Heaton,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Reroll the dough sheets away from you into cylinders and loosely pinch them closed.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Overlays.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overlays. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
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