overlies

Definition of overliesnext
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
  • Penn, who delivers a volatile, darkly comic performance in Anderson’s sprawling political thriller, emerged as the race’s front-runner after a surprise victory at the BAFTA Awards and the Actor Awards, whose voting body overlaps heavily with the motion picture academy.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2026
  • In this grip, the pinky finger of the lower hand on the club (the right hand for right-handed golfers) overlaps the space between the back of the index and middle fingers of the left hand.
    BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Add the mixture to the remaining milk in the pan and cook until the mixture thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
    Mary Ann Esposito, Boston Herald, 18 Mar. 2026
  • Add Parmesan, remaining 1 tablespoon butter and a squeeze of lemon juice; stir, adding more pasta water, a couple tablespoons at a time, if needed, until sauce is glossy and coats the pasta.
    John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Molly Pierce, spokesperson for the Honolulu Department of Emergency Management, said the evacuation order covers more than 4,000 people, though the number could be higher.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Mar. 2026
  • The survey covers 96% of the world’s population in at least 140 countries annually, using a mix of in-person and phone interviews conducted in respondents’ native languages, Ilana Ron-Levey, managing director at Gallup, told CNN.
    Lily Hautau, CNN Money, 20 Mar. 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 22 Mar. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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