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
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of underlying
Datwon Thomas,
VIBE.com,
25 June 2026
In the absence of any blockbuster trades, what stands out Tuesday is all the moves the league’s more expensive teams made to duck the minor salary obligations that come with a pick in the 20s and the underlying reason.
—
John Hollinger,
New York Times,
24 June 2026
Henry Grabar,
The Atlantic,
27 June 2026
Engineers need to remove atoms only from the top sulfur layer while leaving the underlying layers intact.
—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
21 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for underlying
Adjective
But the underlying principle hasn’t changed.
—
Datwon Thomas,
VIBE.com,
25 June 2026
In the absence of any blockbuster trades, what stands out Tuesday is all the moves the league’s more expensive teams made to duck the minor salary obligations that come with a pick in the 20s and the underlying reason.
—
John Hollinger,
New York Times,
24 June 2026
Verb
But the national consensus underlying that position is beginning to melt as record-breaking heat tests France’s patience and principles.
—
Henry Grabar,
The Atlantic,
27 June 2026
Engineers need to remove atoms only from the top sulfur layer while leaving the underlying layers intact.
—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
21 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for underlying
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underlying
Adjective
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But access to toilets, showers and basic supplies are limited.
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The values imparted to me throughout my public school education — equal opportunity, impartial justice, respect for expertise, basic honesty — have been abandoned by a new breed of politician that has turned governance itself into a blood sport.
Verb
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And in the years since, the Honeywells have quietly given back to the island, supporting the local arts community, food bank and animal shelter and giving scholarships through their foundation.
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Created by artist Rafael Blanco, the colorful mural reflects the organization's mission of supporting immigrant families and farmworkers across the Coastside.
Verb
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Center fielder Jakob Marsee put the Marlins ahead with an RBI single before second baseman Xavier Edwards drove in another run while grounding into a double play.
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In a recent interview, Jenny Bates Heaton, new Tedx speaker and a former Fortune 500 organizational development executive, shared how grounding individual and systemic decisions in authentic values can revolutionize the corporate ecosystem.
Adjective
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Many are rudimentary and low-stakes, but the meaningful ones are still buried within the total volume.
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But before long, professors complained that incoming freshmen lacked even rudimentary math skills.
Verb
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But the game has changed, Triolo said, now that policymakers are more wary about an economy weighed down by lackluster domestic demand, a sluggish job market, and eager for private tech companies to boost investment in computing infrastructure underpinning the country's AI ambitions.
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Co-stars include Aaron Paul and Bryce Dallas Howard in the story of two fraudulent paranormal investigators who are forced to face real ghosts and the lies underpinning their business.
Verb
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Netanyahu said that Israel is allowing the Lebanese army to begin preparing to take control of territory, while the Israeli military is establishing two pilot zones.
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The Gateway space station planned for lunar orbit was also canceled in favor of a stronger focus on establishing a base on the moon's surface.
Adjective
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During discussions about elementary and middle school social studies curriculum, board members made addendums, including education about the horrors of communism, why the Second Amendment was created and how counterculture increased the rate of divorce.
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The measure includes a list of texts that would be required reading during each grade level in all the state's public schools, and includes Bible stories and verses in grades ranging from elementary to high school.
Verb
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The ruling, penned by Justice Samuel Alito, reverses lower court opinions upholding the protections and sends the case back to lower courts for next steps.
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Dedicated to upholding the natural ecosystem, the pristine beaches, and inexplicably blue sea provide some of the most spectacular diving sites in the world, all within a short driving distance of the local towns and UNESCO World Heritage site and capital, Willemstad.
Cite this Entry
“Underlying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underlying. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.
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