Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
×

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

Thesaurus

underlying

adjective

Synonyms and Antonyms of underlying

of or relating to the simplest facts or theories of a subject
  • the underlying differences between democracy and dictatorship
Synonyms of underlying

basal, basic, beginning, elemental, elementary, essential, fundamental, introductory, rudimentary
Words Related to underlying

primal, primary, prime, simple

crude, primeval, primitive, primordial, rude, uncomplicated

preliminary, preparatory

crucial, important, key
Near Antonyms of underlying

complex, sophisticated

complicated, convoluted, detailed, elaborate, extensive, intricate

developed, evolved, high, higher, refined
Antonyms of underlying

advanced

Learn More about underlying

  1. See words that rhyme with underlying Dictionary: Definition of underlying Medical Dictionary: Definition of underlying Spanish Central: Translation of underlying Nglish: Translation of underlying for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of underlying for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up underlying? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

loath

play

unwilling or reluctant

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. charlatan 'faker or fraud'

  2. lowlife 'a person of low moral character'

  3. kakistocracy 'government by the worst people'

  4. slimeball 'a morally repulsive or odious person'

  5. salacious 'arousing or appealing to sexual desire'

SEE ALL

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

alt-5ade0f1ca7a0c
'Complement' vs. 'Compliment'

The distinction is clear (now).

image236659401
Words from Letters in the Greek Alphabet

When English borrows from another alphabet

alt-5ada140ed3e28
'Preventive' or 'Preventative'?

Why not both?

alt-5ad8fc71357ed
Words We're Watching: 'Bluebeard,' the Verb

No, it's not a coiffure trend

Ask the Editors

image1760257654
2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

How we chose 'feminism'

video-title-words-of-the-year-1066
Words of the Year: 1066

Or, Why Pig Meat is Called 'Pork' and Cow Meat is Called 'Beef'

video-literally
Literally

How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.

video-his-or-her
Is Singular 'They' a Better Choice?

The awkward case of 'his or her'

Word Games

image1926873504
Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

Test your knowledge of strange human behaviors.

Take the quiz
cats-on-impossible-timber
More Confusing Words—Quiz

How many of these commonly confused words do you know?

Take the quiz
Spell It
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

Take the quiz
SCRABBLE® Sprint
SCRABBLE® Sprint

SCRABBLE® fans, sharpen your skills!

Play the game