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 pair is slated to feature a predominantly red upper with matching red elephant print overlays, a cream tongue, eyestay and midsole and a black heel, liner and outsole.
—
Riley Jones, Footwear News, 22 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, 22 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
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The molasses coats the sugar crystals, giving brown sugar its characteristic color, moisture, and caramel-like flavor.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
26 Jan. 2026
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Dressing made with lemon, chili powder, cumin, and hot sauce coats a blend of rice and red beans.—
Ginger Crichton,
Midwest Living,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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If subfreezing air overlaps with incoming Pacific moisture, Central Texas could face another round of winter weather.—
Newsroom Meteorologist,
Austin American Statesman,
27 Jan. 2026
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Outgoing Brooklyn and Queens Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez, a veteran of the city’s progressive movement whose constituency overlaps with the 34th Assembly District, also endorsed Romero’s campaign this week.—
Chris Sommerfeldt,
New York Daily News,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Stepheny Price covers crime, including missing persons, homicides and migrant crime.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
31 Jan. 2026
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Don't go into a basement, or any room, if water covers the electrical outlets or if cords are submerged.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Jan. 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 2 Feb. 2026.
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