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
Jinga further noted that as Dexory continues to improve the technology that underlies DexoryView, existing customers will benefit from the upgrades and new customers will see faster deployments and quicker return on investment.
—
Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 15 Oct. 2025
Soil acidity also comes from what is called the parent material — the bedrock that underlies the soil.
—Paul Cappiello, Louisville Courier Journal, 3 Oct. 2025
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
Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 15 Oct. 2025
Soil acidity also comes from what is called the parent material — the bedrock that underlies the soil.
—Paul Cappiello, Louisville Courier Journal, 3 Oct. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underlies
Verb
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Landau understands and supports not just Bruce’s vision but Bruce himself, which is how Nebraska, so bleak and bewitching, eventually emerges into the world.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
24 Oct. 2025
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One where technology quietly supports independence, rather than defines it.—
Matt Emma,
USA Today,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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They were only permitted onto the Roland Garros grounds on their match days, practicing across the street on the others.—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
11 Oct. 2025
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Green notes of bergamot and patchouli keep things fresh, while a deeper, aromatic base of musk, incense, and tonka bean grounds the lighter side.—
Jake Henry Smith,
Glamour,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Meanwhile the Magisterium has come under the control of one Marcel Delamare, an ideologue who establishes a quasi-fascist regime in Britain.—
Lev Grossman,
The Atlantic,
23 Oct. 2025
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The faculty group said the question was specifically meant to address the controversial antisemitism bill — AB 715 — Newsom signed earlier this month, which establishes a new Office of Civil Rights and a statewide Antisemitism Prevention Coordinator in an effort to rein in antisemitism in schools.—
Molly Gibbs,
Mercury News,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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If the death of Cinna is a microcosm of the play, the other moment that reinforces the importance of due process in Julius Caesar is even more compressed, lasting a mere eight lines at the start of the fourth act.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
23 Oct. 2025
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The decision reinforces due process protections for immigrants and citizens alike, curbing warrantless arrests and asserting that even federal agents must answer to the same legal standards they are sworn to uphold.—
Robert Alexander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Barring an injury-recovery miracle, Dalton is going to start this game as Young rests his problematic ankle.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
21 Oct. 2025
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Instead, that power rests exclusively with Congress, the brief said.—
Kate Nishimura,
Sourcing Journal,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
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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,
24 Oct. 2025
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Kentucky currently bases its energy standards on codes from 2009, and a state task force has met throughout this year to consider updates.—
Connor Giffin,
Louisville Courier Journal,
22 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Underlies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underlies. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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