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
Marshall Shepherd, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
But clever techniques can work around this limitation, including adaptive optics, which rapidly reshapes a mirror in the telescope to counter the motion of overlying air.
—Phil Plait, Scientific American, 27 Nov. 2025
Verb
However, those sea surface temperatures will be far warmer than the overlying air temperatures.
—Marshall Shepherd, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
But clever techniques can work around this limitation, including adaptive optics, which rapidly reshapes a mirror in the telescope to counter the motion of overlying air.
—Phil Plait, Scientific American, 27 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overlying
Verb
-
Bogaerts and Rafaela share a special bond, despite never overlapping on Boston’s big-league roster.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Expanding to three days during Cactus League spring training for the first time since 2018, the eighth edition of the festival brings 30 artists with no overlapping sets to two main stages.—
Ed Masley,
AZCentral.com,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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This practice of coating paper with wax dates back through the 19th century, as a way to keep moisture and odors out of different food items.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
9 Feb. 2026
-
The sun comes out, coating the top layer of the icy snow with water, and suddenly, the track is a half-second faster.—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The publication has doubled its presence the last year in the US, covering national politics, media, sports, and other beats.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Bieber’s revealing cowl-neck design featured an open back, a side boob-baring bodice, and intricate beads covering her halterneck dress’s hips, chest, and a sheer peekaboo mesh panel inside.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
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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
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Trying to tap the ice sheet, which covers 80 percent of Greenland, for minerals is unappealing, given that all the necessary supplies would need to be brought inland by helicopter and there are kilometers of ice overlaying parts of the rock.—
Stephanie Pappas,
Scientific American,
23 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Overlying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overlying. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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