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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of underlies
High-resistivity wafers enter the high-level injection regime more readily than low-resistivity ones, a physical characteristic that underlies their superior intrinsic potential for achieving high fill factors.
—
Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 14 Feb. 2026
Papouin’s team was studying changes at synapses that alter communication between neurons, a form of neuroplasticity that underlies ongoing shifts in thought and behavior.
—Ingrid Wickelgren, Quanta Magazine, 30 Jan. 2026
Zeus acting for his own pleasure underlies the evolutionary tales of small groups raiding foreign shores, carrying off women.
—Literary Hub, 15 Jan. 2026
The permafrost that underlies the island is rapidly thawing and destabilizing infrastructure, including the critical radar installation and runway at Thule, renamed Pituffik Space Base in 2022.
—Paul Bierman, Fortune, 14 Jan. 2026
And the Nazca plate, which underlies the eastern Pacific Ocean, also shapes the area’s tectonic scene.
—Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 7 Jan. 2026
As the climate warms, permafrost – frozen rock and soil – which underlies the island, thaws.
—Paul Bierman, Washington Post, 7 Jan. 2026
Continue to build the foundation that underlies your life.
—Tribune Content Agency, Baltimore Sun, 7 Jan. 2026
The invalidation of Crown grants underlies the Cowichan outcome.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 27 Dec. 2025
Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 14 Feb. 2026
Papouin’s team was studying changes at synapses that alter communication between neurons, a form of neuroplasticity that underlies ongoing shifts in thought and behavior.
—Ingrid Wickelgren, Quanta Magazine, 30 Jan. 2026
Zeus acting for his own pleasure underlies the evolutionary tales of small groups raiding foreign shores, carrying off women.
—Literary Hub, 15 Jan. 2026
The permafrost that underlies the island is rapidly thawing and destabilizing infrastructure, including the critical radar installation and runway at Thule, renamed Pituffik Space Base in 2022.
—Paul Bierman, Fortune, 14 Jan. 2026
And the Nazca plate, which underlies the eastern Pacific Ocean, also shapes the area’s tectonic scene.
—Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 7 Jan. 2026
As the climate warms, permafrost – frozen rock and soil – which underlies the island, thaws.
—Paul Bierman, Washington Post, 7 Jan. 2026
Continue to build the foundation that underlies your life.
—Tribune Content Agency, Baltimore Sun, 7 Jan. 2026
The invalidation of Crown grants underlies the Cowichan outcome.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 27 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underlies
Verb
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Resting supports your long-term resilience.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Nonfat yogurt still supports steady glucose thanks to its protein content.—
Brittany Poulson,
Verywell Health,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Texas State left fielder Harley Vestal grounds out.—
Caleb Yum,
Austin American Statesman,
6 Mar. 2026
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Ghostface can never really be defeated, because anyone can pick up a knife and be Ghostface, which grounds the movies in a reality often missing from the genre.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The agreement between the union and OSPM includes a 10-day grace period for rent payments, establishes a schedule for major repairs and formally recognizes the union, along with any future unions in buildings owned by Ostro.—
Keely Doll,
Louisville Courier Journal,
10 Mar. 2026
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The result establishes Mercedes as the clear championship favorite at the outset of the 2026 season after its drivers qualified first and second and achieved maximum points.—
Sahil Kapur,
NBC news,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Effectively scaring a bear also reinforces the person as dominant in an encounter, so the bear learns to avoid people.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
11 Mar. 2026
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Our legislation reinforces all three.—
Vaughn Stewart,
Baltimore Sun,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Of course, all of this discussion rests on the belief that contractual prohibitions are the load-bearing factor for preventing an AI system from being used for mass domestic surveillance or autonomous weapons.—
Matteo Wong,
The Atlantic,
7 Mar. 2026
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His advice largely unheeded, state party Chairman Rusty Hicks on Thursday said the fate of a Democratic victory now rests squarely on the gubernatorial candidates who flouted him.—
Seema Mehta,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The company bases gender on driver's license information, Uber told USA TODAY.—
Michelle Del Rey,
USA Today,
10 Mar. 2026
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While Cadillac is building a new headquarters in Indiana, Haas bases much of its key operations in Europe, with close ties to Ferrari and a new partnership with Toyota.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Underlies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underlies. Accessed 16 Mar. 2026.
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