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
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
But clever techniques can work around this limitation, including adaptive optics, which rapidly reshapes a mirror in the telescope to counter the motion of overlying air.
—Phil Plait, Scientific American, 27 Nov. 2025
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
During the extraction of the overlying rock, which spans many miles and dates to the Early Jurassic period, fossil footprints such as these can be found.
—Taylor Nicioli, CNN, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overlie
Christy Remucal, The Conversation, 28 Jan. 2026
But clever techniques can work around this limitation, including adaptive optics, which rapidly reshapes a mirror in the telescope to counter the motion of overlying air.
—Phil Plait, Scientific American, 27 Nov. 2025
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
During the extraction of the overlying rock, which spans many miles and dates to the Early Jurassic period, fossil footprints such as these can be found.
—Taylor Nicioli, CNN, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overlie
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overlie
Verb
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Largely funded by Proposition 1, the project aims to address overlapping homelessness and mental health crises by integrating all care levels on campus.—
Andrew Khouri,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
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On top lies the picotage technique as well as a pattern of overlapping black circles, that is both enclosing and creating space while also keeping out.—
Noelle Alviz-Gransee
March 6,
Kansas City Star,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The signature Hula pie, featuring macadamia nut ice cream coated with an outer chocolate crust and drizzled with chocolate fudge, will return to the dessert menu.—
Angela Osorio,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2026
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Dusting windshields, coating sidewalks and veiling Atlanta’s spring sunshine in a golden haze.—
Nancy Badertscher,
AJC.com,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The facility had been recently hardened with a concrete shell and then covered with soil in the months before the current conflict.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Mar. 2026
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Even with the massive emergency release, analysts said that strategic reserves can cover only a fraction of the supply loss if the conflict dragged on.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
12 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Overlie.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overlie. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.
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