as in basic
of or relating to the simplest facts or theories of a subject
the underlying differences between democracy and dictatorship
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in supporting
to lie underneath
A layer of rock underlies the topsoil.
Related Words
2
as in grounding
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.
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Recent Examples of underlying
Daryl Austin, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025
The mother-in-law even offered to pay for the woman’s share of the bachelorette weekend, but that didn't solve the underlying issues.
—Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 20 Oct. 2025
Justin Chang, New Yorker, 28 Oct. 2025
In 1957, researchers explained the underlying dynamics.
—Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for underlying
Adjective
Habitually sleeping more than nine or ten hours has been linked to higher risks of obesity, metabolic problems and even mortality, though such findings may reflect underlying health issues rather than sleep itself.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025
The mother-in-law even offered to pay for the woman’s share of the bachelorette weekend, but that didn't solve the underlying issues.
—Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 20 Oct. 2025
Verb
Del Toro’s empathy for the Creature is total—and so, owing to the aching poignancy and underlying rage of Elordi’s performance, is ours.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 28 Oct. 2025
In 1957, researchers explained the underlying dynamics.
—Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for underlying
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underlying
Adjective
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In March 2025, Chelsea gave PEOPLE an exclusive update on Max's health journey, explaining that their son has had to relearn basic functions and attend physical therapy.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
26 Oct. 2025
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Those wanting to stream the show live can do so with a Peacock premium subscription or stream new episodes the next day with a basic Peacock subscription.—
Kaycee Sloan,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The plaintiffs argue the federal government is legally required to continue supporting SNAP, even amid the government shutdown.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
29 Oct. 2025
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The organization has raised more than $20 million for charities supporting children in need over the past decade.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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There was something grounding and humbling about that.—
Rachel DeSantis,
PEOPLE,
29 Oct. 2025
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Her take on ballet barre classes blend the discipline with Pilates and yoga principles, and is designed to develop a strong, muscular physique while strengthening the core with balance, grounding and breathing techniques.—
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
28 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The concept is similar to the rare cases of humans who are born with rudimentary tails, a trait that was seen in primate ancestors over 25 million years ago, according to Brian Hall, research professor emeritus in evolutionary cell biology at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Canada.—
Taylor Nicioli,
CNN Money,
30 Oct. 2025
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A lot of what is unwieldy about Down Cemetery Road stems from the source novel, which predates the Slough House series and showcases a writer with an exceptional gift for dialogue and characterization but a more nascent sense of rudimentary storytelling.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The Dodgers went on a free agent spending spree after winning the 2024 World Series in an effort to create a dynasty, defending their title and establishing themselves in the record books.—
Nelson Espinal,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
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In various online forums, people are proposing ideas such as reviving bartering systems among neighbors or establishing community gardens in spaces like churches and recreational centers.—
Ronny Maye,
Essence,
31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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At Nashoba Public School, in a rural part of southeast Oklahoma where there’s little else but timber and twisting roads, the roughly 50 kids who make up the elementary and middle grades are taught in split-grade classrooms.—
Jennifer Smith Richards,
ProPublica,
22 Oct. 2025
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After more or less abandoning philosophy at the end of the First World War, Ludwig trained to be an elementary-school teacher, spent time as a gardener’s assistant in a monastery, and then taught in small towns in rural Austria.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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This offers a degree of clarity on supplies of the critical minerals, which are an essential component in the semiconductors underpinning the AI boom.—
Hugh Leask,
CNBC,
30 Oct. 2025
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While there are myriad reasons for our individual anxieties, there are also economic realities underpinning our agita.—
Allison Morrow,
CNN Money,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
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His campaign has drawn high-profile endorsements from Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Bernie Sanders, reinforcing his status as the left’s standard-bearer in the race.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
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The images are complemented by a throwback-style video recorded with early 2000s camcorder technology, reinforcing Re/Done’s typical affinity for vintage visuals.—
Renan Botelho,
Footwear News,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Underlying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underlying. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
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