1
2
as in to establish
to form the basis or foundation of (something, such as an idea)
The assumption that underlies their argument is faulty.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of underlie
August's inflation data may show that underlying inflation pressures are enough to keep the pace of Fed easing moves up for active debate, said Ed Yardeni, President of Yardeni Research.
—
Sean Conlon,lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 8 Sep. 2025
Whatever the underlying motivation, the White House has been increasing pressure on Venezuela, including by putting a $50 million bounty on its leader last month.
—Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 7 Sep. 2025
The underlying themes are mostly left for Dafoe to explain in lengthy monologues.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 6 Sep. 2025
Changes in eating habits, such as pushing back breakfast times, can be a sign of underlying health problems.
—Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for underlie
Sean Conlon,lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 8 Sep. 2025
Whatever the underlying motivation, the White House has been increasing pressure on Venezuela, including by putting a $50 million bounty on its leader last month.
—Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 7 Sep. 2025
The underlying themes are mostly left for Dafoe to explain in lengthy monologues.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 6 Sep. 2025
Changes in eating habits, such as pushing back breakfast times, can be a sign of underlying health problems.
—Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for underlie
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underlie
Verb
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The red edges and soft fabric give them an elegant look while their memory foam insole keeps feet supported and comfortable with every step.—
Melody Kazel,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
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For Jamaica, how and where field event athletes can be better supported, and, for governing bodies, whether multiple medallists moving from one country to another at once sets another bad precedent.—
Liam Tharme,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The roots of my family tree are firmly established in the soil of Great Britain.—
Elizabeth Bass Parman,
PEOPLE,
7 Sep. 2025
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Period-appropriate musical elements will help establish the nostalgic atmosphere.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The carrier, recognizable by its bright yellow jets, has struggled to steady operations since emerging from its first bankruptcy in March.—
Reuters 19 min ago,
CNN Money,
29 Aug. 2025
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View gallery - 3 images Scientists at the Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory are using the 88-Inch Cyclotron to help steady the famous periodic table of elements one atom at a time where it's gone a bit wobbly at the heavy element end.—
David Szondy
August 27,
New Atlas,
27 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Large hail, damaging wind, and continuous cloud to ground lightning are occurring with this storm.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
5 Sep. 2025
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The two met when Bethany was a teenager on a school trip who got stranded in Warsaw for a month when ash from an Icelandic eruption grounded planes across Europe.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In September 2024, the city sent the brothers a notice of default — a formal communication when there is a failure to uphold a term of a contract.—
Mathew Miranda,
Sacbee.com,
5 Sep. 2025
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Adelman last week rejected that argument and upheld the July recommendation of a magistrate judge who also ruled that the case could proceed.—
Scott Bauer,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Scallops are the dainty little detail that never goes out of style, and in fact, reinforces a decor piece’s nostalgic vibe.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 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,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The couple recently came under much media scrutiny when Abby and her conjoined twin sister, Brittany, both 35, were spotted carrying a newborn baby while running errands last month.—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
7 Sep. 2025
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The powerful currents of flash floods can carry drivers off the road.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In Humphrey's Executor (1935), the Court unanimously held that presidents cannot remove independent agency members without cause, a landmark ruling that underpinned the rise of the modern administrative state.—
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
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And attributes, confidence underpin many of those things.—
Megan Poinski,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Underlie.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underlie. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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