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
With a white leather upper, Fire Red Jumpman branding and accents and the sneaker’s iconic gray elephant print overlays, the White Cement Air Jordan 3 is widely praised as one of the top pairs in athletic footwear history.
—
Riley Jones, Footwear News, 20 May 2026
These devices may be attached externally, hidden inside the pump, or paired with cameras or keypad overlays to capture PINs.
—Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 16 May 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
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
Riley Jones, Footwear News, 20 May 2026
These devices may be attached externally, hidden inside the pump, or paired with cameras or keypad overlays to capture PINs.
—Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 16 May 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
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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On the palate, the whiskey delivers a medium-to-full-bodied texture with a pleasantly oily mouthfeel that coats the tongue without feeling heavy.—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2026
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Return the egg mixture to the saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thickened and coats a spatula (about 170 degrees Fahrenheit).—
Kelly McCarthy,
ABC News,
26 May 2026
Verb
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That is slightly earlier than — but partially overlaps with — this year’s Crested Butte Wildflower Festival, running July 10-19.—
Tiney Ricciardi,
Denver Post,
28 May 2026
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Recognizing that student cell phone use overlaps with multiple areas (including instruction, student well-being, safety and communication), the district sought to better understand how these priorities are perceived across the educational partner groups, according to a staff report.—
Julie Gallant,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 May 2026
Verb
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The lot of the property covers an area of 12,517 square feet.—
Bay Area Home Report,
Mercury News,
30 May 2026
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The long hemline covers the lower back for most wearers, sealing out drafts on chilly planes.—
Sian Babish,
PEOPLE,
29 May 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 8 Jun. 2026.
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