1
as in to overlap
to lie over parts of one another
the puzzle pieces overlay one another in complete disarray on the floor
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in to coat
to form a layer over
there will be freezing rain tonight, so we can expect to find a thick layer of ice overlying the car windshield in the morning
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of overlie
The peak itself is the glaciated remains of an old volcano, overlying the granite block which dominates the Sierra farther south, according to the Donner Summit Association.
—
Lauren Chapman, Sacbee.com, 18 Feb. 2026
However, those sea surface temperatures will be far warmer than the overlying air temperatures.
—Marshall Shepherd, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Contaminated sediment can release PFAS back into the overlying water, where fish and aquatic birds can ingest it.
—Christy Remucal, The Conversation, 28 Jan. 2026
These pulses, the team says, are closely tied to overlying tectonic plates and play a key role in the slow rifting of the African continent.
—Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for overlie
Lauren Chapman, Sacbee.com, 18 Feb. 2026
However, those sea surface temperatures will be far warmer than the overlying air temperatures.
—Marshall Shepherd, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Contaminated sediment can release PFAS back into the overlying water, where fish and aquatic birds can ingest it.
—Christy Remucal, The Conversation, 28 Jan. 2026
These pulses, the team says, are closely tied to overlying tectonic plates and play a key role in the slow rifting of the African continent.
—Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for overlie
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overlie
Verb
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That drone touches down at the address of architect Otone Komoto (Haruka Ayase), who designed her family’s modernist home, an arrangement of overlapping boxes stacked around a garden courtyard.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
16 May 2026
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The testimony of Shivon Zilis — senior Musk adviser, former OpenAI board member and mother of four of his children — showed how thoroughly personal and professional relationships overlapped inside early OpenAI.—
Anisha Sircar,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2026
Verb
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This gel-like substance coats your gut and binds to cholesterol, preventing it from entering your bloodstream.—
Colleen Doherty,
Verywell Health,
14 May 2026
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Certain mascaras, foundations and dental flosses also use PFAS as texture or coating agents.—
Allison Palmer,
Miami Herald,
14 May 2026
Verb
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Pour in an additional 4 cups water (chicken should be covered; if not, add more water).—
Rebecca Firkser,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
14 May 2026
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Designers were clever enough to install a series of waterfalls that spill into the pool to cover up traffic noise from the pool’s location.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Overlie.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overlie. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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