underlie

verb

Definition of underlienext
1
as in to support
to lie underneath A layer of rock underlies the topsoil.

Related Words

Relevance
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.

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of underlie Additional hormone testing helps identify the underlying cause, and your doctor may order more tests to rule out other medical conditions. — Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 28 July 2026 Stablecoins have already shown that crypto payments work best when users do not have to think about the underlying rails. — Sean Lee, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026 The momentum from the run to $400 has cooled without the price giving back most of the gains, which is the kind of digestion that tends to resolve to the upside when the underlying business is working. — Josh Brown,sean Russo, CNBC, 27 July 2026 The medical term for the underlying condition is late-onset hypogonadism. — Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 27 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for underlie
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underlie
  1. support
  2. establish
  3. steady
  4. ground
  5. uphold
  6. reinforce
  7. carry
  8. underpin
Verb
  • His campaign also supports the ballot initiative process — a measure that allows citizens to petition to propose changes to the state constitution.
    — Alexa Newsom, Kansas City Star, 28 July 2026
  • Wi-Fi was quite fast—backed by Starlink—and able to support Zoom calls and remote work.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 July 2026
Definition of support
Verb
  • From Levi’s and Wrangler to next-gen iterations like Re/Done and EB Denim, these tried-and-true labels have established themselves as go-tos, with dedicated followings who return pair after pair.
    — Madeleine Schulz, Vogue, 28 July 2026
  • Powers, now, will head into his fourth training camp as the Broncos’ established starter at left guard.
    — Luca Evans, Denver Post, 28 July 2026
Definition of establish
Verb
  • They’re typically held by a handle in one hand, though some models have a secondary grip near the front of the saw to steady the blade.
    — Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 July 2026
  • Rebounds for big, influential tech stocks also helped steady the market.
    — Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2026
Definition of steady
Verb
  • Lowe grounded softly to second for a potential game-ending double play but beat the throw as De La Cruz scored easily.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 31 July 2026
  • Bieber reached for loafers and socks for a preppy spin, grounded by an oversized leather bomber—an easy outfit formula for daily rotation.
    — Minty Mellon, Vogue, 30 July 2026
Definition of ground
Verb
  • The family appealed, and the UIL State Executive Committee upheld the ruling with a unanimous vote.
    — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 July 2026
  • Filtering mandate went too far The famously conservative 5th Circuit appeals court has upheld several Texas laws imposing obligations on websites and online platforms.
    — Jon Brodkin, ArsTechnica, 27 July 2026
Definition of uphold
Verb
  • The experience reinforced her belief that the profession itself was never the problem.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Rounding out the formula are rice peptides, which help reinforce the cuticle for stronger, more resilient strands over time.
    — Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 31 July 2026
Definition of reinforce
Verb
  • That was part of his wider goal of sending endless waves of bomb-carrying drones and robots to hit Russian encampments in a bid to sharply reduce Ukraine’s casualties.
    — Kevin Holden Platt, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
  • The port of entry handled $126 billion in trade carried by commercial trucks in 2023, Reuters reported.
    — Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 22 July 2026
Definition of carry
Verb
  • Located in China’s Yangtze Delta region that underpins much of the country’s economic growth, the city might not be as well-known as Beijing or Shanghai.
    — Yue Wang, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
  • That contrasts with the 'shock and awe' approach that underpinned the sweeping 'Liberation Day' levies announced in April 2025, which sent markets plummeting.
    — Hugh Leask, CNBC, 27 July 2026
Definition of underpin

Browse Nearby Words

underlay
underlie
underlies
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Underlie.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underlie. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on underlie

Nglish: Translation of underlie for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of spindrift

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Jul. 31

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All