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 restless first movement does quite a variety of things with an underlying waltz rhythm.
—
Scott Cantrell, Dallas Morning News, 6 Mar. 2026
Officials said the advisory change reflected adjustments in embassy operations rather than a direct change in underlying risk.
—Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 5 Mar. 2026
But a month after its launch, few drugs are available, data about how much the site is being used remains unknown, and the private deals underlying TrumpRx are still being worked out.
—Daniel Payne, STAT, 5 Mar. 2026
After starting the season with some question marks regarding their underlying numbers, the Stars are surging at the right time.
—Dom Luszczyszyn, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for underlie
Scott Cantrell, Dallas Morning News, 6 Mar. 2026
Officials said the advisory change reflected adjustments in embassy operations rather than a direct change in underlying risk.
—Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 5 Mar. 2026
But a month after its launch, few drugs are available, data about how much the site is being used remains unknown, and the private deals underlying TrumpRx are still being worked out.
—Daniel Payne, STAT, 5 Mar. 2026
After starting the season with some question marks regarding their underlying numbers, the Stars are surging at the right time.
—Dom Luszczyszyn, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for underlie
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underlie
Verb
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Mahan, who recently entered the race and is supported by Silicon Valley leaders, has quickly raised millions of dollars, as have two independent expenditures committees backing his bid.—
Seema Mehta,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
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According to a preliminary survey conducted by Israel’s Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) this week, 81% of the Israeli public supports the Iran strikes, while 63% of those surveyed believe the campaign should continue until the Iranian regime falls.—
Tal Shalev,
CNN Money,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In San Antonio, Kornet quickly established himself again as one of the funniest guys in the locker room, as well as a valuable teammate on the court.—
Louisa Thomas,
New Yorker,
8 Mar. 2026
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The six vacant buildings, which the county is leasing to establish the Los Angeles County Care Community, have been vacant since the early 2000s.—
Andrew Khouri,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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When the Los Angeles school board placed Superintendent Alberto Carvalho on leave last week after federal searches of his home and office, the sudden leadership vacuum at the nation’s second-largest school system raised immediate questions about who would steady the district.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
7 Mar. 2026
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On the federal level, advocates and policymakers are pushing for the Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Act, which was reintroduced in 2025 to steady the fund.—
Maddy Keyes,
The Frontier,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Magic potions get involved — not to mention a surfeit of whimsy — but the actor does his best to ground the cutesiness in something real.—
Tim Grierson,
Vulture,
7 Mar. 2026
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Kiel grounded out to third base before Sorrell slapped a single to right field, but was caught trying to steal second base.—
Tony Catalina,
Austin American Statesman,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Across the country, courts are also upholding civil rights in cases involving voting access, free speech, equal protection and executive authority.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Mar. 2026
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The decision upheld a DC Circuit Court ruling which maintained that human authorship is an essential requirement for copyright as per the 1976 US Copyright Act.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Schools, mosques, workplaces and media all became part of an ideological ecosystem designed to reinforce loyalty to the regime.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
7 Mar. 2026
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For many neighbors, the incident has reinforced long-standing concerns about the warehouse's proximity to family residences.—
Ivan Taylor,
CBS News,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In these materials, applying an electric field aligns small electric charges within the crystal structure, reducing the scattering of heat-carrying vibrations.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Mar. 2026
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The charges Mountbatten-Windsor faces carry the possibility of a lifetime sentence.—
Christine Valora,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Freedom of maritime navigation has underpinned American and global economic prosperity for more than 80 years.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
3 Mar. 2026
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The analyst said the downsizing should increase its earnings power, underpinning a more constructive stance on the name.—
Lisa Kailai Han,
CNBC,
3 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Underlie.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underlie. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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