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
Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 3 June 2026
The underlying numbers were even more worrying.
—Liam Twomey, New York Times, 3 June 2026
New Atlas, 24 May 2026
Over-automation can lead to complacency, where teams lose touch with underlying processes.
—Daria Rudnik, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for underlying
Adjective
Further scientific investigation is needed to confirm the findings and to account for other underlying risk factors, such as certain stomach infections, which could interact with dietary habits.
—Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 3 June 2026
The underlying numbers were even more worrying.
—Liam Twomey, New York Times, 3 June 2026
Verb
The platform’s underlying goal is to compress the distance between concept and production, allowing users to move from an initial idea to a finished object with minimal friction.
—New Atlas, 24 May 2026
Over-automation can lead to complacency, where teams lose touch with underlying processes.
—Daria Rudnik, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for underlying
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underlying
Adjective
-
When asked for basic tips on booking a flight, Potter had two answers.—
Ross Raihala,
Twin Cities,
31 May 2026
-
Users just need to tap the screen to monitor connection status in real time, switch VPN profiles, share Wi-Fi via a QR code and complete basic network configuration tasks.—
Mark Sparrow,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
Verb
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Let’s remember the wisdom of our leaders in supporting the humanitarian aid that gave people a chance to rebuild from the war.—
William Lambers,
Hartford Courant,
6 June 2026
-
Others are hemorrhaging money from divorce, supporting adult children or overextended on mortgage debt.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
Investigators found visible battle damage around the conning tower and evidence of grounding at the bow, both of which closely match historical accounts of the vessel’s final engagement.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
2 June 2026
-
United by ingenuity and purpose, the mission reflects an enduring drive to push boundaries while grounding progress in humanistic values.—
Time,
Time,
2 June 2026
Adjective
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Together, the findings in chimpanzees and bonobos suggest a rudimentary form of syntax, the rules that govern word order in human language and give it flexibility and creativity.—
Katie Hunt,
CNN Money,
3 June 2026
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But those tells generally show up only in Claude’s most rudimentary outputs.—
Jay Caspian Kang,
New Yorker,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
Archer and Joby are establishing significant footprints already with bets in the Middle East, where regulators and governments have readily embraced the new tech.—
Samantha Subin,
CNBC,
29 May 2026
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But the incident will no doubt deal a blow to not only Blue Origin's ambitions of gaining ground on commercial spaceflight competitor SpaceX, but also to NASA's ambitions of establishing a foothold on the moon.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
29 May 2026
Adjective
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Superintendent Wayne Walters said the Future Ready Facilities Plan is designed to create a more consistent experience by shifting to clearer elementary, middle and high school models and expanding access to art, music, STEM and world languages.—
Gabby Sartori,
USA Today,
4 June 2026
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Even with some flaws, the Camp Snap 2 just might be the perfect camera for older elementary students and tweens, and earns our Editors' Choice award for its simplicity, low cost, and fun factor.—
Jim Fisher,
PC Magazine,
2 June 2026
Verb
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That reflects both the enormous valuations that software startups commanded during the 2021 venture boom and the degree to which generative AI has destabilized assumptions underpinning the sector.—
Hugh Son,
CNBC,
1 June 2026
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Applying terrorism designations to criminal syndicates, Brazilian officials say, conflicts with domestic legal definitions and risks blurring distinctions underpinning international counterterrorism law.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
1 June 2026
Verb
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The space also features vintage furnishings by Eileen Gray and antiques sourced by Garcia, reinforcing the residential quality Mage sought to create.—
Thomas Waller,
Footwear News,
4 June 2026
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Apple also authorized an additional $100 billion share repurchase program, reinforcing the power of its free-cash-flow model.—
,
CNBC,
3 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Underlying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underlying. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
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