1
as in supports
to lie underneath
A layer of rock underlies the topsoil.
Related Words
Relevance
2
as in grounds
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 underlies
Curt Anderson, Broomfield The principle of humility underlies the constitutional guarantees of free speech and freedom of the press.
—
Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 26 Sep. 2025
Notably, this same mechanism underlies cocaine’s effects, highlighting its potency.
—Richard Menger Md Mpa, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Protein aggregation underlies devastating disorders such as Alzheimer’s plaques, Parkinson’s Lewy bodies, and misfolded proteins in cancer.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 11 Sep. 2025
Dysfunctional lipid storage underlies a wide range of health conditions, with obesity and diabetes just two of them.
—New Atlas, 28 Aug. 2025
The idea that the past is the key to the present underlies all sciences that deal with time, such as geology, evolutionary biology, and ecology.
—Ellen Wohl
august 20, Literary Hub, 20 Aug. 2025
That tension underlies pretty much every celebrity profile, and films like Almost Famous and, as the gothic quality of Moritz von Stuelpnagel’s directing will very much remind you, Sunset Boulevard.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 8 Aug. 2025
Either way, an involuntary act, unlike the struggle to be, to exist, that underlies the need to write.
—Louise Glück, The New Yorker, 4 Jan. 2025
The goal was to figure out whether training in the cold would boost mitochondria levels, which is one of the key adaptations that underlies aerobic fitness.
—Alex Hutchinson, Outside Online, 17 Dec. 2024
Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 26 Sep. 2025
Notably, this same mechanism underlies cocaine’s effects, highlighting its potency.
—Richard Menger Md Mpa, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Protein aggregation underlies devastating disorders such as Alzheimer’s plaques, Parkinson’s Lewy bodies, and misfolded proteins in cancer.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 11 Sep. 2025
Dysfunctional lipid storage underlies a wide range of health conditions, with obesity and diabetes just two of them.
—New Atlas, 28 Aug. 2025
The idea that the past is the key to the present underlies all sciences that deal with time, such as geology, evolutionary biology, and ecology.
—Ellen Wohl
august 20, Literary Hub, 20 Aug. 2025
That tension underlies pretty much every celebrity profile, and films like Almost Famous and, as the gothic quality of Moritz von Stuelpnagel’s directing will very much remind you, Sunset Boulevard.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 8 Aug. 2025
Either way, an involuntary act, unlike the struggle to be, to exist, that underlies the need to write.
—Louise Glück, The New Yorker, 4 Jan. 2025
The goal was to figure out whether training in the cold would boost mitochondria levels, which is one of the key adaptations that underlies aerobic fitness.
—Alex Hutchinson, Outside Online, 17 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underlies
Verb
-
Screambox supports three simultaneous streams, which is about average.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
4 Oct. 2025
-
Letizia says his dispensary in Menomonee Falls supports regulating hemp, including requiring testing products and setting a statewide age restriction.—
Gina Lee Castro,
jsonline.com,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Kandace Crystal grounds the play with her quiet, strong, maternal presence as Wolf & Bird, a woman happily pregnant with her second child.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 Sep. 2025
-
Immigration and Customs Enforcement did not respond to an inquiry from the Miami Herald asking on what grounds Vorbe, who has an ongoing immigration case and had an upcoming hearing, was detained.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The flippancy with which these characters are made to bite the dust establishes the film’s combustible tone.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Slowly rising closer to its preseason number (+750), Kansas City looks dangerous as the roster gets healthy and Patrick Mahomes establishes a rhythm.—
Scott Phillips,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
By linking enrichment, missile capabilities, and support for Palestinian resistance, the senior cleric reinforces a hard-line posture that could further complicate diplomatic efforts and destabilize the region.—
Amir Daftari,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Over time, dysfunctional breathing reinforces poor posture and scapular instability.—
Dana Santas,
CNN Money,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In the second photo, Gomez rests her left hand on her new husband's, her marquise diamond engagement ring glinting in the light.—
KiMi Robinson,
USA Today,
28 Sep. 2025
-
Total enrollment for the district rests at 2,294 according to state data from the 2024-25 school year.—
Grace Tucker,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The Social Security Administration bases its COLA each year on average annual increases in the consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers (CPI-W) from July through September.—
Medora Lee,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Bing bases its results on Copilot AI, which takes advantage of OpenAI GPT models.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
11 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Underlies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underlies. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share