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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In contrast, aphids produce a sticky residue called honeydew that coats foliage and can later develop into a black coating known as sooty mold.—
Anthony Reardon,
Kansas City Star,
20 Apr. 2026
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Once the sauce is glossy and coats the back of a spoon, remove from heat.—
Gretchen McKay,
Twin Cities,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Lunar New Year overlaps with the midwinter recess in February, and an extended spring recess in April will give schools the days off for Passover.—
Cayla Bamberger,
New York Daily News,
21 Apr. 2026
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Milwaukee County emergency management director Paul Riegel said sirens are only activated when the National Weather Service issues a tornado warning – meaning a tornado, or a storm capable of producing one, overlaps any area of the county.—
David Clarey,
jsonline.com,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Downs is a rare safety who covers like a cornerback, tackles like a linebacker, and blitzes like an edge rusher.—
Bill Jones,
CBS News,
24 Apr. 2026
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In Georgia, extreme drought now covers 71% of the state, the highest since 2012.—
CNN.com Wire Service,
Mercury News,
24 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 27 Apr. 2026.
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