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
  • The curriculum overlaps with that of ASU's mass communication and media studies degree, with the major departure being a slate of specialized electives on podcasting, studio production and on-camera presence.
    ABC News, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The curriculum overlaps with that of ASU’s mass communication and media studies degree, with the major departure being a slate of specialized electives on podcasting, studio production and on-camera presence.
    Kaitlyn Huamani, Fortune, 14 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Add the fresh corn, okra, and diced tomatoes, cooking until the tomatoes break down into a sauce that coats the tender vegetables.
    Elizabeth Nelson, Southern Living, 1 Aug. 2026
  • The Mediterranean sun, at its apex, burns as white as the signature paint that coats most Mykonian homes.
    Nick Remsen, Vogue, 1 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Turnout was higher for Republican primaries in the 5th Congressional District and in General Assembly races than in the 4th District race, which covers Fairfield county.
    Angela Eichhorst, Hartford Courant, 13 Aug. 2026
  • For travel and action shooters, this means one compact unit covers immersive footage, standard social clips, and traditional action-cam duties.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 13 Aug. 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 20 Aug. 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