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
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
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
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
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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Local politicians that previously supported the chorus, either socially or financially, are now fearful of retribution by the governor, Cabrera said.—
Amanda Rosa,
Miami Herald,
1 Apr. 2026
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But at the time, Brandy's idea to work with Monica on the new record was not supported by most of the people around her.—
Taijuan Moorman,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Yainer Diaz softly grounded a first-pitch fastball, but toward an opening in the Angels’ shifted infield for a two-run single.—
Matt Kawahara,
Houston Chronicle,
29 Mar. 2026
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Following Bader’s strikeout, Bailey grounded into a game-ending, series-ending double.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Her ruling — finding that the plaintiffs were likely to succeed on the merits — was upheld in a 2-1 decision by a federal appeals court.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
28 Mar. 2026
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In February 2026, the Minnesota Supreme Court upheld Nick's convictions.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The new collection builds on the garment dye story the brands established in 2022 with their first collaboration.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
30 Mar. 2026
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California established Cesar Chavez Day as an official paid holiday for state workers in 2000, according to the Los Angeles Times and SFGATE.—
Paris Barraza,
USA Today,
30 Mar. 2026
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.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
29 Mar. 2026
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This article quotes from and is based largely on records from three lawsuits against formula manufacturers that went to trial in 2024 and are now on appeal.—
David Hilzenrath,
USA Today,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The idea of a super wet El Niño kind of got reinforced in the winter of 1997-98.—
Paul Rogers,
Mercury News,
27 Mar. 2026
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In other words, external pressure has reinforced internal alignment.—
Emile Nuh,
CNN Money,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Opponents of that view argue that NATO is predicated on an idea of collective defense, rather than offense.—
Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
1 Apr. 2026
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The city of Wuxi, a tech and manufacturing hub in the eastern province of Jiangsu, is offering up to 5 million yuan, or about $726,000, for projects predicated on the new AI agent.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
29 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Underlay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underlay. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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