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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The endeavor was supported by the Taiwanese government.—
Wayne Chang,
CNN Money,
17 June 2026
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Hughton supported Addo at the previous World Cup in 2022 before taking charge of the team for the AFCON in Ivory Coast in early 2024.—
Simon Hughes,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
Verb
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Aranda was on first with two outs when Caminero grounded a ball up the middle and beat Nunez’s throw which sailed well over first.—
Marc Topkin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
21 June 2026
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The game ended when Dasan Harris grounded to second and Gavin Gallaher turned an unassisted double play that was confirmed after Oklahoma challenged the call.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
21 June 2026
Verb
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Moreover, the federal government has consistently upheld Tohono O’odham land rights.—
Geraldo L. Cadava,
The Atlantic,
20 June 2026
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Iran’s team departs for talks as uncertainty grows Negotiations toward a final agreement will begin once key commitments are upheld, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said.—
Kareem Chehayeb,
Fortune,
20 June 2026
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.—
Scott Hocker,
TheWeek,
22 June 2026
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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.—
David Canfield,
HollywoodReporter,
22 June 2026
Verb
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District officials said staffing and budget decisions are made at the school and department level by building and department leaders based on the needs of individual schools and departments.—
Dillon Thomas,
CBS News,
21 June 2026
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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,
21 June 2026
Verb
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The ties between Oakland’s Southern transplants and barbecue was reinforced when White was cleaning the home of a great aunt who had just passed away.—
Chase Hunter,
Mercury News,
21 June 2026
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For Edwards, the reaction reinforced why authentic storytelling matters more than ever, especially in her field of work.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
20 June 2026
Verb
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That deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, followed two years of painstaking negotiations that were predicated on a similar, yet more detailed framework, called the JCPOA.—
Ana Ceballos,
Los Angeles Times,
14 June 2026
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His paint pressure was more predicated upon easy reads within Gonzaga’s offense as opposed to complicated progressions.—
Sam Vecenie,
New York Times,
12 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Underlay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underlay. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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