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
Geologists have long suspected that Afar is underlain by a mantle plume, a pillar of upwelling hot material that is helping to drive apart the overlying crust.
—
Ian Randall, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 June 2025
This finding indicates that the ecosystem was no longer being sustained by the nutrients from the hydrothermal system being released into the overlying ocean.
—David Bressan, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
Mantle plumes are convectional upwellings of hot material from the deep mantle that can cause localized melting and deformations to the overlying crust.
—New Atlas, 19 Apr. 2025
Much of the Floridan Aquifer is shielded significantly from downward migration of pollution by overlying layers of dense, impermeable clay.
—Kevin Spear, Orlando Sentinel, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overlie
Ian Randall, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 June 2025
This finding indicates that the ecosystem was no longer being sustained by the nutrients from the hydrothermal system being released into the overlying ocean.
—David Bressan, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
Mantle plumes are convectional upwellings of hot material from the deep mantle that can cause localized melting and deformations to the overlying crust.
—New Atlas, 19 Apr. 2025
Much of the Floridan Aquifer is shielded significantly from downward migration of pollution by overlying layers of dense, impermeable clay.
—Kevin Spear, Orlando Sentinel, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overlie
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overlie
Verb
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Kennedy and Justice Sandra Day O'Connor for much of their overlapping tenures represented the ideological center of the court at a time when the institution became increasingly conservative.—
Nina Totenberg,
NPR,
27 Sep. 2025
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However, between 2000 and 2023, rising temperatures began to push the two bird species out of their natural territories, causing their populations to overlap for the first time in the vicinity of San Antonio and giving the birds the opportunity to mate with each other.—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In this recipe, country music star Lainey Wilson draws on her Louisiana roots, rolling the regional sausage into balls before coating them in breadcrumbs and frying until crispy on the outside, but still tender inside.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
1 Oct. 2025
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Oil the entire pan Once the pan is clean, use a kitchen or paper towel to coat it with a thin layer of oil (emphasis on thin).—
Julie Harans,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In addition to yards of open grassy areas for Pickles and Franklin to roam freely, there is a pool, sauna, pickleball court, outdoor kitchen, and lots of shaded or umbrella-covered seating.—
Lennie Omalza,
Louisville Courier Journal,
2 Oct. 2025
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With support from the ADG Community Journalism Project, LEARNS reporter Josh Snyder covers the impact of the law on the K-12 education system across the state, and its effect on teachers, students, parents and communities.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
2 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Overlie.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overlie. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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