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
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
Planetary scientists count craters, for instance, the logic being that older features will be covered in more craters than younger features will, while younger features will overlie or cut across more pre-existing craters than older features do.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 3 Feb. 2025
The rich volcanic soil overlying the limestone has been fertile for centuries.
—Chi Varnado, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for overlie
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
Planetary scientists count craters, for instance, the logic being that older features will be covered in more craters than younger features will, while younger features will overlie or cut across more pre-existing craters than older features do.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 3 Feb. 2025
The rich volcanic soil overlying the limestone has been fertile for centuries.
—Chi Varnado, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for overlie
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overlie
Verb
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The complaint also says the policy violates Graves' 14th Amendment rights to control her child's education in several instances, overlapping with their First Amendment argument.—
Cate Charron,
IndyStar,
13 Aug. 2025
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In the space of 10 seconds, the triangle takes on four different forms, with overlapping and underlapping runs crucial in creating a one-vs-one for the player on the ball.—
Thom Harris,
New York Times,
13 Aug. 2025
Verb
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For a delicious, air fryer-friendly cheese recipe, try coating your cheese in breading.—
Jillian Kubala,
Health,
7 Aug. 2025
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Some dailies, for example, are coated with phospholipid, which is what cell membranes are made of.—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Funding: Backed by a $44 million Series B, Pano’s tech covers 12 GW of utility lines across the U.S. West and is proving essential for utilities and fire agencies looking to act faster and minimize damage as wildfire seasons grow longer and more intense.—
Marianne Lehnis,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
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Since March, noncitizen writers of the Stanford Daily have declined to cover pro-Palestinian protests and asked to remove previous articles on the topic, fearing that such reporting could jeopardize their legal immigration status, according to the lawsuit.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
7 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Overlie.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overlie. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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