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
Relevance
2
as in overlaps
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 overlays
In addition to the black mesh base and metallic silver overlays with dashes of red, the look also mixes in green, blue, pink and tan shades, resulting in the most colorful combination to arrive on the 1906L silhouette yet.
—
Riley Jones, Footwear News, 6 Jan. 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
On June 30, the official Maxibon TikTok page posted a video that overlays Korzen's viral video with text announcing the return of a collaboration between the ice cream brand and Krispy Kreme.
—Luke Chinman, People.com, 5 Aug. 2025
Riley Jones, Footwear News, 6 Jan. 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
On June 30, the official Maxibon TikTok page posted a video that overlays Korzen's viral video with text announcing the return of a collaboration between the ice cream brand and Krispy Kreme.
—Luke Chinman, People.com, 5 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overlays
Verb
-
The onions should fall apart, creating a thick, rich sauce that coats the meat.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Further experiments revealed that the extracellular vesicles stopped senescence by using the extracellular matrix protein fibronectin, which coats their surfaces and then causes a release of enzymes that block the effects of oxidative stress which unleash senescence.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
4 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
And as more filmmakers do this together, those overlaps form ecosystems of their own.—
Dana Harris-Bridson,
IndieWire,
29 Dec. 2025
-
The Emergency Room of the hospital overlaps with this deepest flooding area, but it is also raised slightly.—
Carol Thompson,
CBS News,
19 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
The total misuse of COVID funds in the district, which covers the Charlotte metro area, includes tens of millions, The Charlotte Observer previously reported.—
Chase Jordan
January 10,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Inside the manor house, a rustic spread including cornetti, orange cakes, apricot pastries, homemade granola, and local cheese covers an enormous industrial-style table.—
Rosalyn Wikeley,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Jan. 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
Cite this Entry
“Overlays.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overlays. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share