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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His time at City overlapped with that of the west London club’s co-director of recruitment and talent, Joe Shields, who worked for the Etihad Stadium side from 2013 to 2022.—
Cerys Jones,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
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Specifically, nacre is composed of hexagonal crystals of aragonite, a kind of calcium carbonate that is also seen in limestone and that forms precisely into overlapping layers that resemble the brick-and-mortar structure of buildings.—
Caitlin Kennedy,
Scientific American,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Glass tubes coated with copper-oxide catalysts feed the methane gas needed for the reaction.—
Ameya Paleja,
Interesting Engineering,
23 Apr. 2026
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Hydrophobic soil is particularly problematic after a wildfire when soil particles become coated with waxy substances as organic matter decomposes.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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With Devin Williams unavailable after pitching two of the last three days, Luke Weaver covered the final four outs.—
Will Sammon,
New York Times,
23 Apr. 2026
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Intercut with mutilation shots and moments where his mouth or eyes morph to be covered by the stretchy skin are flashbacks to the handsome actor, face totally intact.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
22 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Overlie.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overlie. Accessed 29 Apr. 2026.
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