as in overlaying
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1
as in overlapping
to lie over parts of one another
the puzzle pieces overlay one another in complete disarray on the floor
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in coating
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 overlying
K. R. Callaway, Scientific American, 18 Mar. 2026
However, those sea surface temperatures will be far warmer than the overlying air temperatures.
—Marshall Shepherd, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Verb
The results are somewhat ambiguous as to how much ice may lurk unseen beneath layers of overlying ice-sparse material.
—K. R. Callaway, Scientific American, 18 Mar. 2026
However, those sea surface temperatures will be far warmer than the overlying air temperatures.
—Marshall Shepherd, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overlying
Verb
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The grievances fueling anti-AI sentiment are broad and overlapping.—
Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez,
Fortune,
14 Apr. 2026
-
The same goes for the musicians’ overlapping palettes, which are often difficult to tease apart.—
Philip Sherburne,
Pitchfork,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Its weather-resistant powder coating withstands rain and other inclement weather.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Apr. 2026
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The show’s name referred to their self-identification as helpless babies overwhelmed by the pressures of modernity, comforted only by coating themselves in fancy serums and moisturizers to recreate the peaceful, placental insulation of the womb.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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One of the people listening was an imposing but soft-spoken guy dressed in black, with a baseball cap nearly covering his eyes.—
Kelefa Sanneh,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Shohei Ohtani bounced the first pitch to first baseman Troy Johnston, who fielded it and flipped the ball over the head of pitcher Ryan Feltner, covering first base.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
19 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Fears was one of the most vocal supporters of a $55 million general obligation bond approved by Independence voters last year, earmarked for rebuilding and overlaying streets around Independence.—
Ilana Arougheti,
Kansas City Star,
31 Mar. 2026
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As music played in the background, overlaying captions appeared on screen beside Bader, 30, who underwent bariatric surgery in December 2023.—
Zoey Lyttle,
PEOPLE,
3 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Overlying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overlying. Accessed 20 Apr. 2026.
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