underlies

verb

present tense third-person singular of underlie
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

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 The cost of energy underlies much of the economy, making energy and politics inseparable, especially when gasoline prices rise. — Michael A. Mische, Washington Post, 5 Nov. 2026 And now this partnership really underlies our ecosystems on Earth. — Quanta Magazine, 15 Oct. 2026 Permafrost, a layer of ground made up of soil, rock and sediment, underlies nearly 15% of the land surface in the Northern Hemisphere. — Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026 The same principle underlies brainwriting, a technique that reliably outperforms conventional brainstorming. — Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026 The same philosophy underlies a series of larger reforms already underway. — Bethany Mandel, The Washington Examiner, 16 Aug. 2026 This approach underlies the security of cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum and, with RSA, helps secure modern internet traffic. — IEEE Spectrum, 7 July 2026 And that’s the question that underlies much of what’s onscreen in this perplexing, entertaining, frustrating picture. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 1 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underlies
  1. supports
  2. grounds
  3. establishes
  4. reinforces
  5. rests
  6. bases
Verb
  • The agreement supports a broader production expansion intended to triple manufacturing capacity.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 6 Nov. 2026
  • The outcome of Tuesday’s elections could slow that spending, with vast consequences for the thousands of jobs and massive amounts of economic development that AI supports.
    — David Goldman, CNN Money, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of supports
Verb
  • What grounds that preposterous plot is that the film stars Olivia Colman and Alexander Skarsgård, award-winning actors who are both known to have impeccable comedic timing and to not take themselves too seriously.
    — Whitney Friedlander, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Guillermo del Toro grounds The Shape of Water in Elisa’s quest to be understood by those around her.
    — Janelle Okwodu, Vogue, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of grounds
Verb
  • Work establishes regular opportunities for social interaction, a sense of contribution and identity.
    — Richard Sima, Washington Post, 7 Nov. 2026
  • The Chargers’ offense could finally snap to life if Herbert finally regains his confidence and re-establishes his rhythm.
    — Elliott Teaford, Oc Register, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of establishes
Verb
  • That pricing gap reinforces PSA's lead and gives its decisions about fees and submission services considerable influence over the resale market.
    — Matthew Tan, CNBC, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Amnesty International reinforces this, highlighting that unequal power relations between men and women intensify during conflicts, as traditional gender roles are reinforced, making women increasingly vulnerable.
    — Hannah Berner, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of reinforces
Verb
  • Much of the allure of China’s pitch rests on how the country’s developers share their technology.
    — DANIEL REMLER, Foreign Affairs, 10 Nov. 2026
  • Still, a bullish case for Alphabet rests not in its post-earnings concerns being unfounded, but rather on its growth being strong enough to withstand them.
    — Julia Spina, CNBC, 10 Nov. 2026
Definition of rests
Verb
  • Both brands offer a telematics safe driving program, which tracks your driving and bases your rate on factors like your braking, acceleration, speed and driving time.
    — Liz Knueven, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2026
  • This makes Kansas one of the few states that bases the requirement on payroll dollars rather than employee count.
    — Gretchen Wittenmyer-Stone, Kansas City Star, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of bases

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underlie
underlies
underline
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Cite this Entry

“Underlies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underlies. Accessed 11 Nov. 2026.

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