overlies

present tense third-person singular of overlie
1
as in overlaps
to lie over parts of one another the puzzle pieces overlay one another in complete disarray on the floor

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in coats
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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for overlies
Verb
  • Its distribution in the lower Mississippi River valley overlaps with that of the central rat snake.
    Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Under the bills, a community college could offer a bachelor’s degree that overlaps with a nearby CSU program if that CSU program has been hard to get into for years.
    Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Cook, tossing and adding more pasta cooking liquid a little at a time as needed, until sauce lightly coats pasta, about 2 minutes.
    Carla Lalli Music, Bon Appetit Magazine, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Gradually whisk in chicken broth; cook, stirring constantly, until mixture coats the back of a spoon, 1 to 2 minutes.
    Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 17 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The report, released Monday, covers operations through June 30.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 17 Sep. 2026
  • In addition to posters, album covers, clothing and household goods, Max’s art has appeared on a Boeing 777 airplane and a Norwegian Cruise Line ship.
    Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Overlies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overlies. Accessed 24 Sep. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster