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 rich volcanic soil overlying the limestone has been fertile for centuries.
—
Chi Varnado, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Nov. 2024
The rock slab located at the high school was also originally from the Callide Mine, which is an open-cut mine, meaning that the overlying rock is removed to get to the coal underneath, Romilio explained.
—Taylor Nicioli, CNN, 21 Mar. 2025
Land in San Rafael, Corte Madera, Foster City and Bay Farm Island in the San Francisco Bay Area was found to be subsiding at more than 0.4 inches per year, primarily due to sediment compaction—when loose particles are pressed together under the weight of overlying layers.
—Mark Joseph, Newsweek, 24 Feb. 2025
This month, the researchers will return to Waesche, looking for more rocks that could confirm whether the loss of overlying ice caused Waesche to wake up.
—Bypaul Voosen, science.org, 3 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for overlie
Chi Varnado, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Nov. 2024
The rock slab located at the high school was also originally from the Callide Mine, which is an open-cut mine, meaning that the overlying rock is removed to get to the coal underneath, Romilio explained.
—Taylor Nicioli, CNN, 21 Mar. 2025
Land in San Rafael, Corte Madera, Foster City and Bay Farm Island in the San Francisco Bay Area was found to be subsiding at more than 0.4 inches per year, primarily due to sediment compaction—when loose particles are pressed together under the weight of overlying layers.
—Mark Joseph, Newsweek, 24 Feb. 2025
This month, the researchers will return to Waesche, looking for more rocks that could confirm whether the loss of overlying ice caused Waesche to wake up.
—Bypaul Voosen, science.org, 3 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for overlie
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overlie
Verb
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This will be a tight turn from the conclusion of the Euros (July 27 final) and AFCON (July 26 final) and overlaps with Copa America (Aug. 2).—
Tamerra Griffin,
New York Times,
7 July 2025
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Camp Mystic has two sites, both of which overlap with either the floodway or areas the federal government has determined have a 1% or 0.2% annual chance of flooding.—
Renée Rigdon,
CNN Money,
7 July 2025
Verb
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Except there’s a mystery, wrapped in an enigma, and coated in a puzzle.—
Irina Ivanova,
Fortune,
13 July 2025
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Chicken and waffles are also popular, and one waffle menu item comes coated in Fruity Pebbles breakfast cereal.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
11 July 2025
Verb
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Jackson nursed him back to health by covering his feet with a medicated balm and became acutely aware of the need to protect her pets from the hot summer sun and heatwaves.—
Jen Reeder,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
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Ed has covered pop music for The Republic since 2007, reviewing festivals and concerts, interviewing legends, covering the local scene and more.—
Ed Masley,
AZCentral.com,
14 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Overlie.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overlie. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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