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
There’s always been this underlying feeling of not trying to take ourselves too seriously.
—
Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 8 May 2026
Those insights can, in turn, illuminate some of the underlying physics.
—Quanta Magazine, 8 May 2026
Mold returns when the underlying moisture problem isn’t fixed.
—Ryan Brennan
may 8, Kansas City Star, 8 May 2026
The resistance, and the distrust underlying it, is rooted in the island’s complex history, both recent and ancient.
—IEEE Spectrum, 7 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for underlie
Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 8 May 2026
Those insights can, in turn, illuminate some of the underlying physics.
—Quanta Magazine, 8 May 2026
Mold returns when the underlying moisture problem isn’t fixed.
—Ryan Brennan
may 8, Kansas City Star, 8 May 2026
The resistance, and the distrust underlying it, is rooted in the island’s complex history, both recent and ancient.
—IEEE Spectrum, 7 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for underlie
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underlie
Verb
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Several players supported the club’s decision.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 May 2026
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According to the complaint, detectives attributed statements to Hardin suggesting the killing was part of a ritual, despite no independent evidence to support that claim.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
7 May 2026
Verb
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The idea was then taken up by other Scottish scholars, including James Frazer, whose widely read compendium The Golden Bough (1890) attempted to establish cross-cultural parallels in mythology.—
Glenn Adamson,
Artforum,
2 May 2026
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Located right alongside its Sunset Strip neighbor Book Soup, Mystery Pier was established by character actor Harvey Jason and his son Louis, who continue to run the store together.—
Marc Weingarten,
Los Angeles Times,
2 May 2026
Verb
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Focus on what’s essential, complete one thing well, and let that steady your pace throughout the day.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
4 May 2026
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Easing oil prices also helped steady the stock markets around the world that were still open on the May Day holiday.—
Stan Choe,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
Verb
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An engine defect grounded dozens of its planes.—
Leslie Josephs,
CNBC,
2 May 2026
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But Schultz got the next batter, Miguel Andujar, to ground into an inning-ending double play.—
LaMond Pope,
Chicago Tribune,
2 May 2026
Verb
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His challenge was rejected by a federal court judge and the decision was upheld Wednesday by the highest court, ending his legal options.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 May 2026
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With this ruling, the judge upheld his attorneys' claim that the debilitating effects of his schizophrenia prevent him from facing the death penalty at this time.—
Landon Mion,
FOXNews.com,
6 May 2026
Verb
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Bias asks whether the system perpetuates, amplifies, or introduces systematic disadvantage, including through feedback loops where biased outputs reinforce biased inputs.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Fortune,
2 May 2026
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Officials stated the goal is to give drivers time to adjust and reinforce safe behavior around school buses.—
Ivan Taylor,
CBS News,
2 May 2026
Verb
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If Banchero believes in Mosley, that belief will carry influence.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
4 May 2026
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Choose one priority and let consistency carry you further than force.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
4 May 2026
Verb
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Central to the thesis underpinning superior earnings growth is the idea that artificial intelligence is a 'secular' trend, and is therefore shielded from the peaks and troughs of the economic cycle.—
Joseph Wilkins,
CNBC,
8 May 2026
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The hotel’s response is The Datai Pledge, which underpins localized conservation, wildlife protection, and community engagement.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
6 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Underlie.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underlie. Accessed 9 May. 2026.
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