UNDERLYING Synonyms: 85 Similar and Opposite Words

underlying 1 of 2

adjective

ˌən-dər-ˈlī-iŋ

Definition of underlying

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

underlying

2 of 2

verb

present participle of underlie

as in supporting

to lie underneath A layer of rock underlies the topsoil.

Related Words

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. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of underlying

Adjective

The underlying purpose of 19th century colleges was not to provide four-year residences far away from home for young men and women. — Jim Nowlan, Chicago Tribune, 9 Aug. 2026 Most of the myiasis cases (77 percent) were in patients with one or more underlying health conditions, most commonly diabetes, alcoholism, cancers, and skin conditions. — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 7 Aug. 2026

Verb

Both people had underlying health conditions that may have been affected by the illness and dehydration, the officials said. — Lauren Dunn, NBC news, 5 Aug. 2026 The daily operation of DeepMind, which works on the underlying AI research that fuels all of Google’s Gemini advances, will be handed off to Koray Kavukcuoglu. — Ryan Whitwam, ArsTechnica, 5 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for underlying

Recent Examples of Synonyms for underlying

Adjective

The away end is the only section to pre-date Charlton’s seven-year absence and facilities in there are basic.

— Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026
The research, published in Chem Circularity, explores a system based on calcium looping, a process that uses the same basic material—limestone—that is already central to cement manufacturing.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of basic

Verb

Meanwhile, Mercury in your private 12th house sextiles Venus in your 2nd House of Resources, supporting quiet decisions around money, self-worth, and peace.

— Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 13 Aug. 2026
Johnson said the development could add to the local tax base while supporting construction and information technology jobs.

— Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of supporting

Verb

Harris snapped the tie by grounding a 2-2 pitch into right field as automatic runner Ha-Seong Kim easily scored.

— ABC News, ABC News, 9 Aug. 2026
Detroit put runners at the corners on back-to-back singles by Zach McKinstry and Kevin McGonigle, then Gleyber Torres scored McKinstry despite grounding into a double play.

— Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of grounding

Adjective

Initially a rudimentary, box-like affair, things have improved since, thanks mainly to the addition of a second tier behind the goal.

— Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026
And packing no GoTo computer requires at least a rudimentary knowledge of the night sky and a star atlas or planetarium software.

— Damian Peach, Space.com, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of rudimentary

Verb

Taken together, Ukraine is seeking to field autonomous systems that are cheap, effective, and easy to use, while establishing clear benchmarks to measure their performance.

— David Kirichenko, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026
When possible, avoid establishing a new lawn in the heat of summer.

— Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of establishing

Adjective

According to the district, only 83% of elementary seats and 79% of middle school seats were filled during the 2024 to 2025 school year.

— Dan Raby, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026
The district is also preparing to develop a new elementary-school literacy curriculum this school year, with the help of new state funding.

— Jemma Stephenson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of elementary

Verb

The county executive’s chartered responsibilities include overseeing the county’s municipal departments, correcting errors in tax assessments, executing certain contracts, upholding the county charter and representing the county in general.

— Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 5 Aug. 2026
There are plenty of people who don't agree with the NCAA upholding a suspension, and the Tennessee administration is high on the list.

— Trey Wallace OutKick, FOXNews.com, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of upholding

Browse Nearby Words

underlining

underlying

undermine

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“Underlying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underlying. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of underlying

adjective

verb

Example Sentences

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