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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of underlay
Amazon Bedrock will underlay the solution, according to a release.
—
Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 26 July 2024
There are unresolved tensions in Williams’s script that could use some pressure, like the way Cephus’s seeming nostalgia exists alongside his acknowledgment of segregation, or how economic realities underlay his journey north (and only a deus ex machina allows his return to the South).
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 5 June 2024
Chris Messina steals scenes as unhinged, foul-mouthed agent David Falk, while Jason Bateman underlays his straight-man deadpan with subtle emotion as Rob Strasser.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 11 July 2023
Another key part of the trick involves an appreciation of two psychological systems that underlay our decision making, as described by Daniel Kahneman, a psychologist and Nobel Prize-winner.
—IEEE Spectrum, 11 Aug. 2017
See All Example Sentences for underlay
Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 26 July 2024
There are unresolved tensions in Williams’s script that could use some pressure, like the way Cephus’s seeming nostalgia exists alongside his acknowledgment of segregation, or how economic realities underlay his journey north (and only a deus ex machina allows his return to the South).
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 5 June 2024
Chris Messina steals scenes as unhinged, foul-mouthed agent David Falk, while Jason Bateman underlays his straight-man deadpan with subtle emotion as Rob Strasser.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 11 July 2023
Another key part of the trick involves an appreciation of two psychological systems that underlay our decision making, as described by Daniel Kahneman, a psychologist and Nobel Prize-winner.
—IEEE Spectrum, 11 Aug. 2017
See All Example Sentences for underlay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underlay
Verb
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Several companies, including Ace Hardware and power tool makers Milwaukee Tool and STIHL, have supported the New York measure as a way to help offset the costs of lawn care companies replacing older equipment.—
Mike Snider,
USA Today,
4 Oct. 2025
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Public opinion broadly supported Democrats at the time of the dispute that turned into the longest shutdown in the nation’s history.—
Ronald J. Hansen,
AZCentral.com,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The event marked a significant comeback after the space program was grounded for 32 months following the Challenger explosion.—
Lorenzino Estrada,
AZCentral.com,
29 Sep. 2025
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Down-to-earth neutrals, chocolate and khaki grounded numerous collections.—
Samantha Conti,
Footwear News,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Courts previously have upheld the legality of such laws.—
Frederick Melo,
Twin Cities,
30 Sep. 2025
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The papers’ publication by The New York Times and later The Washington Post led to a landmark Supreme Court fight that upheld the First Amendment’s guarantee of freedom of the press.—
Ellen Mitchell,
The Hill,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The majority, 69%, live in the West, predominantly in Utah, near where the church's global headquarters was established in Salt Lake City in the mid-19th century.—
Andrea May Sahouri,
Freep.com,
29 Sep. 2025
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Since windows are already installed when seat configurations are established, they can’t be adjusted, and misalignments happen.—
Iona Brannon,
Travel + Leisure,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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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.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
4 Oct. 2025
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Combs has already spent 12 months in prison since his arrest, and the judge gave him credit for his sentencing based on the time already served.—
Peter Aitken,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
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As an example, over the most recent summer, Ko Itakura and Alassane Plea, the team’s best centre-back and most important utility attacker respectively, were both sold, with the squad being reinforced only with cheaper, unproven players.—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
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As the fireline is constructed, inspected or reinforced, mappers record those details to adjust the containment percentage.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The Reds’ playoff hopes were predicated on the strength of their starting pitching — that didn’t include Littell, who will be on the bump for an elimination game.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
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But the Padres play a very similar style, predicated on resourceful offense, efficient defense and power pitching.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Underlay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underlay. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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