overlays

present tense third-person singular of overlay
1
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 Some $12 million would be directed to high-impact paving in which the city overlays asphalt onto streets to extend their life. — Alison Dirr, jsonline.com, 20 Sep. 2026 Ten straight hours of baking are edited into 90-second reels of prep work on Roll & Dough’s social pages, which Pierre, who is soft-spoken yet brutally honest, overlays with confessional voiceovers. — Phillip Valys, Sun Sentinel, 27 Aug. 2026 Another iteration with a white upper and midsole features blue gradient overlays and matching Air Max units, while the third opts for all-black. — Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 24 Aug. 2026 However, some lenders may set higher credit score requirements, called lender overlays, which can affect eligibility. — Deane Biermeier, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2026 For more detail, eclipse expert Xavier Jubier’s website overlays the eclipse’s path on Google Maps, which allows zooming down to the street level. — ABC News, 6 Aug. 2026 Simply point your phone’s camera at nearby buildings or landmarks, and the app overlays arrows and other visual cues to show you exactly which way to head. — Larry Magid, Mercury News, 16 July 2026 Rather than replacing existing systems, 1001 overlays them with a live operational model that analyzes data, predicts problems, and recommends—or automates—the best course of action before issues escalate. — Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 7 July 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overlays
Verb
  • Cook, tossing and adding more pasta cooking liquid a little at a time as needed, until sauce lightly coats pasta, about 2 minutes.
    — Carla Lalli Music, Bon Appetit Magazine, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Gradually whisk in chicken broth; cook, stirring constantly, until mixture coats the back of a spoon, 1 to 2 minutes.
    — Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 17 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Dumbphone conversion overlaps with a wider cultural push to spend less time online.
    — Ashley Lynch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Its distribution in the lower Mississippi River valley overlaps with that of the central rat snake.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 3 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The former ensures that the university covers the full tuition and fees for first-year, Pell-eligible students from Illinois.
    — Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Another covers regulated detection devices that only flag possible hypertension.
    — Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 24 Sep. 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Overlays.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overlays. Accessed 28 Sep. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster