1
as in supports
to lie underneath
A layer of rock underlies the topsoil.
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2
as in grounds
to form the basis or foundation of (something, such as an idea)
The assumption that underlies their argument is faulty.
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Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of underlies
But in making their arguments, the authors went further, addressing fundamental questions of politics by laying out the political theory that underlies that Constitution.
—
Jordan Cash,
The Conversation,
8 June 2026
Training, both stressed, underlies all of it.
—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
1 June 2026
This sort of hypothesis—this mechanism underlies that disease, and the drug over there can target it—is also one of the more concrete forms of hypothesis in biology.
—
ArsTechnica,
19 May 2026
By contrast, her father’s hypervigilance also underlies the narrative.
—
Los Angeles Times,
11 May 2026
Spending underlies the fiber buildout and connectivity companies like Lumentum , Coherent , and portfolio holding Corning.
—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
3 May 2026
Separate research from the University of California, Riverside found that routine microplastic exposure accelerated the formation of atherosclerosis, the artery-narrowing condition that underlies most heart attacks and strokes.
—
Allison Palmer,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
27 Apr. 2026
The quiet efficiency that underlies everything tends to preserve energy levels, which is a critical, albeit understated ingredient in Emery’s success in European competitions throughout his managerial career.
—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2026
The technique that made Cassie run—training it in physics simulations—likely underlies the capability of robots like Lightning as well.
—
Deni Ellis Béchard,
Scientific American,
22 Apr. 2026
Jordan Cash,
The Conversation,
8 June 2026
Training, both stressed, underlies all of it.
—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
1 June 2026
This sort of hypothesis—this mechanism underlies that disease, and the drug over there can target it—is also one of the more concrete forms of hypothesis in biology.
—
ArsTechnica,
19 May 2026
By contrast, her father’s hypervigilance also underlies the narrative.
—
Los Angeles Times,
11 May 2026
Spending underlies the fiber buildout and connectivity companies like Lumentum , Coherent , and portfolio holding Corning.
—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
3 May 2026
Separate research from the University of California, Riverside found that routine microplastic exposure accelerated the formation of atherosclerosis, the artery-narrowing condition that underlies most heart attacks and strokes.
—
Allison Palmer,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
27 Apr. 2026
The quiet efficiency that underlies everything tends to preserve energy levels, which is a critical, albeit understated ingredient in Emery’s success in European competitions throughout his managerial career.
—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2026
The technique that made Cassie run—training it in physics simulations—likely underlies the capability of robots like Lightning as well.
—
Deni Ellis Béchard,
Scientific American,
22 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underlies
Verb
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In turn, sleep quality, which physical conditioning directly supports, governs how effectively a leader's prefrontal cortex manages complex trade-offs and scenarios under pressure.
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The decision supports renewal of the project’s Source Materials License for another 20 years, leaving a safety evaluation as the final major review before the license can move forward.
Verb
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Their chemistry grounds every emotional turn of the film, balancing comedy, heartbreak, and tenderness with confidence and precision.
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But if the film occasionally threatens to float away into its own inaccessible realm, Camp’s witty, doleful performance grounds it with a human dimension, albeit not a terribly warm one.
Verb
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This establishes a baseline for each user by monitoring heart rate, respiratory rate, blood oxygen levels and other physiological signals during sleep over a seven-day period.
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The City Council’s vote formally establishes the partnership, making Morelia Sacramento’s newest sister city.
Verb
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Dress professionally, and either make sure your background is clutter free or use a virtual background that reinforces your message.
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The order also reinforces Saab’s position in the global submarine market.
Verb
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The authority of a judicial opinion rests not merely on its logic but on the accountability of the judge who signs it.
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Nietzsche says somewhere that the illusion of willpower rests on our tendency to identify with the part of our soul that commands, not the part that obeys.
Verb
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The group always bases its sound in the harder side of rock, but songs and even albums by the Grammy-winning outfit can be classified under several different genre labels.
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There's now a 40% probability that the Federal Reserve will hike rates at its December meeting, up from 3% at its June meeting, according to CME FedWatch, which bases its predictions on 30-Day Fed funds futures prices.
Cite this Entry
“Underlies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underlies. Accessed 4 Jul. 2026.
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