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
The question underlying possible congressional approval: Will this worsen education outcomes for America’s schoolchildren, who already are struggling with generational low test scores?
—
Jackie Valley, Christian Science Monitor, 18 June 2025
The group has since pivoted to identifying high-growth sectors that outshine Europe’s average underlying GDP growth numbers.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 17 June 2025
At the same time, however, Bush sought to address some of the underlying issues — the racist history of the LAPD, chief among them — that festered for decades before exploding into molten rage.
—Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2025
The aerospace giant's stock performance reflects this pattern: initial volatility followed by sustained gains as markets recognize the underlying strength of the business model and the temporary nature of most trade disruptions.
—Robert Daugherty, Forbes.com, 7 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for underlie
Jackie Valley, Christian Science Monitor, 18 June 2025
The group has since pivoted to identifying high-growth sectors that outshine Europe’s average underlying GDP growth numbers.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 17 June 2025
At the same time, however, Bush sought to address some of the underlying issues — the racist history of the LAPD, chief among them — that festered for decades before exploding into molten rage.
—Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2025
The aerospace giant's stock performance reflects this pattern: initial volatility followed by sustained gains as markets recognize the underlying strength of the business model and the temporary nature of most trade disruptions.
—Robert Daugherty, Forbes.com, 7 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for underlie
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underlie
Verb
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Adding native plants to existing garden beds is a simple way to boost curb appeal while supporting pollinators and improving soil health.—
Post-Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
30 June 2025
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The social sector, including philanthropy and nonprofit providers, can support novel solutions and risk-taking, advocating for families, and providing direct services.—
Shelley Stewart III,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
Verb
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And the state Riley Act, also passed in 1933, required California local governments to establish a building department and inspect new construction.—
Rong-Gong Lin II,
Los Angeles Times,
29 June 2025
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For this historic journey, Kipyegon utilized male pacers to help establish the pace of the race.—
Katelyn Hutchison,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2025
Verb
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Stewart steadies, Cloud closes and New York sharpens its edge.—
Jenny Catlin,
New York Times,
22 June 2025
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Other times, the Stabilizers will steady the ground.—
Vibhas Ratanjee,
Forbes.com,
8 June 2025
Verb
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Would grounding every traveler be an absolute climate win?—
Emese Maczko,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
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In the middle of a tour rewriting the rules of genre and Black Southern identity, this intimate celebration grounded the spectacle in something more intimate: a toast among kin, at home, with history watching.—
Shelby Stewart,
Essence,
30 June 2025
Verb
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The Supreme Court upheld a law that allows Americans injured by acts of terror in the Middle East to take Palestinian leadership groups to U.S. courts for damages.—
Boston Herald editorial staff,
Boston Herald,
22 June 2025
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The Supreme Court ruled Wednesday to uphold Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming care for transgender minors.—
Alexandra Kukulka,
Chicago Tribune,
21 June 2025
Verb
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The goal isn’t to separate the machine from the workforce, but to build an inclusive system where the two operate together, reinforcing each other’s strengths.—
Priya Vijayarajendran,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
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Scaring a black bear can reinforce its natural fear of people and help keep it from lingering in neighborhoods and other areas where conflicts often arise.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
30 June 2025
Verb
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Blue Ghost will land on the lunar far side carrying LuSee Night, which will deploy directly from the spacecraft.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
23 June 2025
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On Sunday, two supertankers—each carrying up to 2 million barrels—turned back in the Strait of Hormuz after U.S. airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear sites raised fears of commercial shipping being targeted, Bloomberg reported.—
Amira El-Fekki,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 June 2025
Verb
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This is the kind of insight that underpins the company’s strategy of building out alternative food offerings, including meatless protein products, that avoid these kinds of risks.—
Mindy Lubber,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
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But these explanations miss a critical piece of the puzzle: a growing unease with the digital infrastructure that now underpins nearly every aspect of how Americans vote.—
Bruce Schneier,
The Conversation,
27 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Underlie.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underlie. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.
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