1
as in supported
to lie underneath
A layer of rock underlies the topsoil.
Related Words
Relevance
2
as in grounded
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.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of underlay
This conviction underlay the Victorian workhouses in 19th-century England that Charles Dickens critiqued through his novels.
—
Colin Gordon, The Conversation, 29 May 2025
There are still cheerleaders who say H.W. and Clinton’s top-tax-rate increases underlay the 1990s boom and budget surpluses.
—Brian Domitrovic, Forbes.com, 10 May 2025
There was another story that underlay the peace negotiations, and that was the story of the love between Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter.
—Lawrence Wright, The New Yorker, 29 Dec. 2024
The consumer welfare philosophy also underlay U.S. negotiations that resulted in international antitrust cooperation agreements and in competition chapters within bilateral and multilateral trade agreements.
—Alden Abbott, Forbes, 26 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for underlay
Colin Gordon, The Conversation, 29 May 2025
There are still cheerleaders who say H.W. and Clinton’s top-tax-rate increases underlay the 1990s boom and budget surpluses.
—Brian Domitrovic, Forbes.com, 10 May 2025
There was another story that underlay the peace negotiations, and that was the story of the love between Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter.
—Lawrence Wright, The New Yorker, 29 Dec. 2024
The consumer welfare philosophy also underlay U.S. negotiations that resulted in international antitrust cooperation agreements and in competition chapters within bilateral and multilateral trade agreements.
—Alden Abbott, Forbes, 26 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for underlay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underlay
Verb
-
In February, a judge determined that the zoning board’s decision to grant the exceptions was legal and supported by the evidence, denying the neighbor’s petition for review.—
Chris Higgins,
Kansas City Star,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Congressman Eric Swalwell supported maintaining strong environmental standards while diversifying energy sources.—
Richard Ramos,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Schanuel, who grounded into a double play with runners on first and third to end the eighth, lofted a fly ball to left fielder Randy Arozarena, whose throw home was off line.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Schanuel, who grounded into a double play with runners on first and third to end the eighth, lofted a fly ball to left fielder Randy Arozarena, whose throw home was off line.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The governor’s map was challenged in court, with several lower court rulings against it, but it was ultimately upheld by the Florida Supreme Court in July 2025.—
Jeffrey Schweers,
The Orlando Sentinel,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Again, if that case had been brought in a post-ACA 7 California state court, the district’s discriminatory policies would have been upheld.—
Alison Somin,
Oc Register,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Office of the Special Investigator was established to work with police on the war crime allegations.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Brownsville Civic Association president Kenneth Kilpatrick said that when the advisory committee was first established, Brownsville residents had no interest in incorporating.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The astronauts snapped thousands of photos during their historic pass around the moon, shot video and recorded their personal observations to give researchers insights based on the color sensitivity of the human eye.—
William Harwood,
CBS News,
12 Apr. 2026
-
But prosecutors might have a difficult time convincing a jury that the five defendants are guilty of murder, said Linda Parisi, a defense attorney based in Sacramento.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Denise Richards plays wealthy high schooler Kelly Van Ryan, who accuses her guidance counselor, Sam Lombardo (Matt Dillon), of raping her; her case is then reinforced when outcast Suzie Toller (Neve Campbell) comes forward with her own allegation against Sam.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Authorities reinforced security around Jewish sites in the wake of explosions last month outside synagogues in Liege, Belgium, and the Dutch port city of Rotterdam and outside a Jewish school in Amsterdam.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
But the texts of these new laws—which are heavily predicated on a kidfluencer’s willingness to sue his or her own parents—are at turns vague, confounding, and possibly toothless.—
Jessica Winter,
New Yorker,
7 Apr. 2026
-
The limit is predicated on the idea that athletes should finish their collegiate careers around the same time as their classmates and shouldn’t hold roster spots that would otherwise go to incoming freshmen or transfer students.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Underlay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underlay. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
