UNDERLIE Synonyms: 44 Similar and Opposite Words

underlie

verb

Definition of underlie

as in to support

to lie underneath A layer of rock underlies the topsoil.

Related Words

Relevance

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 This can lead to greater insights on their structure, their characteristics and the physics that underlie it all. — Phil Plait, Scientific American, 9 Oct. 2026 Mangione’s legal team successfully argued at the time the two underlying stalking charges in the federal indictment are not violent crimes. — Kara Scannell, CNN Money, 9 Oct. 2026 Felton also uses Amazon Quick, an AI assistant for work, himself, including to query supporting materials prepared for board meetings and locate answers in the underlying files. — Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026 Treatments — including medication, physical therapy and surgery — can help manage many of these symptoms, but none has been shown to change the underlying course of the disease. — Jennifer Fields, Washington Post, 8 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for underlie

Recent Examples of Synonyms for underlie

Verb

Research on hitting objects does not support it as a way to reduce anger, and there are too few studies of screaming to conclude its effects.

— Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026
These improvements are intended to help military forces transport larger loads more efficiently and support operational demands across a range of environments.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of support

Verb

The administration’s language would establish a range of mandatory minimum sentences based on the amount of loss involved in fraud schemes, according to the document.

— Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 6 Oct. 2026
Lafayette 148 will open its first Dallas boutique at NorthPark Center Tuesday, establishing a dedicated presence in the 30-year-old brand’s top five markets.

— Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of establish

Verb

The Rams have overhauled its special teams staff, but punting and coverage remain concerns as the team tries to steady its season after two losses in three games.

— Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026
How do you — not as an anthropologist and not as a filmmaker, but as a human — steady yourself through witnessing something like this?

— Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of steady

Verb

Jazz, for those who missed it, was confused as to why Yankees fans booed the hell out of him after grounding out in the bottom of the ninth.

— Zach Dean OutKick, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2026
The second baseman popped out and later nearly grounded into a season-ending double play in the ninth but narrowly beat out the throw to first.

— James O'Connell, New York Daily News, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of ground

Verb

That decision, upheld on appeal, put the onus on the Continuum of Care, an amorphous entity with a board and open membership that had long functioned as an appendage of LAHSA but actually had the statutory power to hire or fire the agency.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2026
An appeals court subsequently threw out the massive financial penalty but upheld the fraud finding.

— Sagar Meghani, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of uphold

Verb

The experience reinforced her belief that Vancouver has plenty of animation talent, but still needs more infrastructure for independent creators.

— Katherine Brodsky, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026
Its amino-acid complex helps smooth and strengthen strands from the inside out, while amaranth extract reinforces fragile hair and baobab extract helps improve elasticity and bounce.

— Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of reinforce

Verb

An ammunition depot was hit, as were a bulk carrier in the Chornomorsk port carrying dual-use goods and port infrastructure in Izmail, the ministry said.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Oct. 2026
As the hundreds of thousands of people made their way down the narrow roads following the politician, a few rerouted into the industry event, still carrying big flags and with faces lit up with hope.

— Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of carry

Verb

The negotiations are focused on rebuilding institutions, including Venezuela’s supreme court and electoral commission, to underpin free and fair elections.

— Helena Carpio, Washington Post, 9 Oct. 2026
Yet that formula, underpinned by a staff-to-guest ratio of 6 to 1, proved intoxicating.

— Robb Report, Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of underpin

Browse Nearby Words

underlay

underlie

underlies

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Underlie.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underlie. Accessed 11 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of underlie

verb

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