1
as in supported
to lie underneath
A layer of rock underlies the topsoil.
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2
as in grounded
to form the basis or foundation of (something, such as an idea)
The assumption that underlies their argument is faulty.
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Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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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
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On Monday, June 22, Kelce's pop star fiancée Taylor Swift supported him for the second year in a row at the kickoff for the event.
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The idea was supported by NASA’s top boss, Jared Isaacman, setting the tone for what could come in the near future.
Verb
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Montgomery then grounded into a fielder’s choice, with Acuña scoring to tie it at 1.
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Diaz appeared to agitate the shoulder on a swing during his fifth-inning at-bat, then grounded out.
Verb
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Another agreed that Judeo-Christian values should be upheld in the curriculum.
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The decision is also something of a surprise to me, because the Supreme Court has recently upheld free exercise rights in multiple high-profile cases, almost all of which involve Christianity – such as a football coach’s ability to pray on the field after public school games.
Verb
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What is established is that the celebrated director Lonny Price, who played Neil Kellerman in the movie, is helming this version and Darrell Grand Moultrie, who has a robust background in choreographing both ballet and Beyoncé, is in charge of the dancing.
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Bringing that inside-out understanding of his industry and its history speaks to his strengths as a veteran working actor who has made a habit of dropping into established and popular shows mid-run and shaking things up.
Verb
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The spacecraft that will attempt to rescue the Swift Observatory was developed by Katalyst Space, an aerospace company based in Flagstaff, Arizona, which was awarded the $30 million contract in September 2025.
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The creation of this content included the use of AI based on templates created, reviewed and edited by journalists in the newsroom.
Verb
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Looking back, McCloskey said the yearslong legal battle reinforced the value of perseverance.
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If anything, Messi’s early absence reinforced why Argentina will enter the knockout stage as one of the favorites to win the tournament.
Verb
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Spokespeople say the deal is predicated on their agreement being codified into a bill within the next week.
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As with Jenkins above, Barlow’s deal in Philly seemed predicated on declining his option and then re-inking him as a non-Bird free agent this summer.
Cite this Entry
“Underlay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underlay. Accessed 1 Jul. 2026.
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