as in basic
of or relating to the simplest facts or theories of a subject
the underlying differences between democracy and dictatorship
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in supporting
to lie underneath
A layer of rock underlies the topsoil.
Related Words
2
as in grounding
to form the basis or foundation of (something, such as an idea)
The assumption that underlies their argument is faulty.
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of underlying
Jamie Ducharme, Health, 30 Jan. 2026
The underlying logic of progressive discipline is to give the player a chance to remedy the situation and learn from his mistake.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Jared Perlo, NBC news, 30 Jan. 2026
Early prototypes shown at CES were assembled rapidly for demonstration, but Lumus says the underlying architecture avoids exotic materials.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for underlying
Adjective
Excess sleep can be a sign of an underlying health problem, Miner said.
—Jamie Ducharme, Health, 30 Jan. 2026
The underlying logic of progressive discipline is to give the player a chance to remedy the situation and learn from his mistake.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Verb
In the current Moltbook iteration, each AI agent must be supported by a human user who has to set up the underlying AI assistant.
—Jared Perlo, NBC news, 30 Jan. 2026
Early prototypes shown at CES were assembled rapidly for demonstration, but Lumus says the underlying architecture avoids exotic materials.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for underlying
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underlying
Adjective
-
What to Avoid Composting in Winter Eliminate problems by sticking to basic greens and browns using a ratio of four parts brown material to one part green material.—
Barbara Gillette,
The Spruce,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Beyond calling for reskilling workers displaced by AI, Stockwood has previously floated the idea of tech companies being taxed in order to fund universal basic income payments.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The chair of the Federal Reserve is tasked with combating inflation in the United States while also supporting maximum employment.—
Christopher Rugaber,
Fortune,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Irving was caught when the State Police got a tip on May 29, 2025, from the smartphone messaging company Kik, which reported that three files shared on its platform appeared to be child pornography, according to a law enforcement affidavit supporting the charge.—
Flint McColgan,
Boston Herald,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
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That means search firms grounding their search processes and committees in lived experience, boards committing to governance alignment and presidential support, and funders willing to align expectations with institutional reality.—
Essence,
Essence,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Similar to meditation, every four-minute session feels calming and grounding, and is a great way to start my days.—
Jessie Quinn,
Flow Space,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Early warning is rudimentary and community liaison mechanisms are flimsy.—
Obi Anyadike,
semafor.com,
26 Jan. 2026
-
The federal student loan program lacks even rudimentary safeguards common in the private sector.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
25 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Don’t forget Knueppel is already the fastest player to reach 100 made career 3-pointers, establishing the impressive mark 12 games quicker than Utah’s Lauri Markkanen, who held the record until Knueppel shattered it.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Congress has repeatedly waded into establishing an overarching federal law that would encompass AI that dispenses mental health advice.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Stenvik cancelled the annual all-district band concert, scheduled for last week, in which players from the elementary, middle, and high schools perform together on one stage.—
Jessica Winter,
New Yorker,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Her stories are well-told, relevant and often searing, detailing an elementary-school teacher’s slight, a hometown swimming-pool reckoning and chauvinism from an Ivy League club.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Nations that can reliably power the infrastructure underpinning advanced technologies will hold structural advantages in the 21st century.—
Güney Yıldız,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Legal challenges to constitutional doctrines underpinning the modern American administrative state wend their way through increasingly sympathetic courts, promising sweeping changes to the ways our most important institutions act.—
Walter Russell Mead,
The Atlantic,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
As Morrison pointed out, representations and practices can be mutually reinforcing.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
30 Jan. 2026
-
By Saturday, a reinforcing shot of arctic air will sweep across Texas from northeast to southwest.—
Mary Wasson,
Austin American Statesman,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Underlying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underlying. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
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