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
And yet the boundary between death and life, between this world and another, was blurring for both of us in the gray light of London, and my mother’s underlying fear of returning to Kolkata must have been instilling fears in me.
—
Jhumpa Lahiri, New Yorker, 30 June 2025
The other thing is [these camps] do have very different underlying views on reproductive technologies.
—Liam McBain, NPR, 27 June 2025
Psychedelics can trigger psychosis in individuals with underlying mental health conditions and, in rare occasions, can cause seizures.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2025
Most of the new software underlying AI was developed by small teams with six to eight members.
—Patrick Moorhead, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for underlie
Jhumpa Lahiri, New Yorker, 30 June 2025
The other thing is [these camps] do have very different underlying views on reproductive technologies.
—Liam McBain, NPR, 27 June 2025
Psychedelics can trigger psychosis in individuals with underlying mental health conditions and, in rare occasions, can cause seizures.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2025
Most of the new software underlying AI was developed by small teams with six to eight members.
—Patrick Moorhead, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for underlie
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underlie
Verb
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Using a fan or air conditioning to circulate air will also support heat transfer from your body and help prevent night sweats, according to Gradisar. 2.—
Angelica Stabile,
FOXNews.com,
30 June 2025
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Trouble attracting young trade workers Farley, a proponent of growing U.S. manufacturing productivity to support the essential economy, has advocated for young workers to have strong trade experiences.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
30 June 2025
Verb
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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
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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
Verb
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The shoes rely on stiff soles to steady the foot, but the lightweight, rigid build is what creates the best ankle support.—
Molly Harris,
Travel + Leisure,
2 July 2025
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The droning roll calls in the chamber belied the frenzied action to steady the bill.—
Jim Edwards,
Fortune,
1 July 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 decision to hear the cases follows a decision by the Supreme Court's conservative majority last month upholding state bans on gender-affirming medical care for transgender minors.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 July 2025
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Last year, West Virginia tried again and urged the Supreme Court to review the 4th Circuit’s decision and uphold its restrictions on transgender athletes.—
David G. Savage
Follow,
Los Angeles Times,
3 July 2025
Verb
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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
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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
Verb
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Tommy John surgery typically carries a recovery timeline of at least 12 months, which would put Schmidt on track to miss a sizable portion of next season, too.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
5 July 2025
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All six would have to make a stop to change into a long dress, don a wig, and carry a handbag filled with bricks to the finish line on Power’s stage.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
5 July 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 8 Jul. 2025.
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