overlies

verb

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

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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
  1. overlaps
  2. coats
  3. covers
Verb
  • On Peru’s northern coast, peak surf season overlaps with humpback whale season, creating a rare chance to spot the giants between waves.
    — Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The watch covers several counties and in some cases overlaps with existing flood and flash flood warnings.
    — Jen Guadarrama, IndyStar, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of overlaps
Verb
  • The formula is thick but non-greasy, and coats skin in comforting moisture that leaves you hydrated for hours.
    — Mary Honkus, Glamour, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Rinsing helps strip away the alkaline preservative film that often coats synthetic braiding hair.
    — Ayren Jackson-Cannady, Allure, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of coats
Verb
  • The collection of patents covers a wide swath of elements associated with the rise of AI music, including moderation, watermarking, licensed distribution and monetization.
    — Corbin Bolies, Variety, 20 Aug. 2026
  • The settlement covers the Gill case and claims involving about 2,000 other infants, according to Abbott.
    — Lisa Schencker, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of covers
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

overlie
overlies
overload
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Cite this Entry

“Overlies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overlies. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.

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