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 problem, defense experts say, is that the United States designed its missile defense programs for a world in which only a few major powers like China and Russia posed serious threats. — Doyle McManus, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026 Knowing when employers tend to post jobs won’t ultimately change the underlying labor market. — Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2026

Verb

And the frankness underlying their oddly dorky connection also paints any potential relationship between them as tragic from the jump. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 8 Sep. 2026 Nachum describes Sapien as a financial and operational system that connects the numbers in a company’s financial statements with the underlying business. — Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for underlying

Recent Examples of Synonyms for underlying

Adjective

Goertz took Birdsall's basic ideas and refined them into something far more cohesive, blending the visual extravagance of 1950s America with a distinctly European sense of proportion.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 10 Sep. 2026
That in turn feeds ‘The Ticker’, the basic on-screen representation of the score and ‘The Computer’, another programme that turns that raw information into the more intricate graphics that appear on the screen.

— Nick Miller, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of basic

Verb

The company says the plant could provide roughly 400 MW of electrical power without the risk of plasma disruptions, supporting its intended role as a source of baseload energy.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 10 Sep. 2026
Finland has also been an attractive location for digital infrastructure supporting social media workloads, with TikTok planning on expanding its data center capacity in the country.

— Kai Nicol-Schwarz, CNBC, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of supporting

Verb

Greenery becomes an artful layer, softening the building and giving it a sense of (literal) grounding that tech-adulating blobitecture often lacks.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026
Its Oceanic Balance Retreat is an all-encompassing yoga experience tailored to its surroundings, whether energizing at dawn or grounding at sunset.

— Jasreen Mayal Khanna, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of grounding

Adjective

Within these confines the main characters register as aliens; Wendy and Jack aren’t just flustered but people who seem to have never been inculcated with a rudimentary sense of social propriety.

— Vadim Rizov, Variety, 2 Sep. 2026
Using rudimentary 3-D animation tools, the film looks janky, with sharp edges and bad editing.

— Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of rudimentary

Verb

Of the industrial innovations underpinning this order, the assembly line and vertical integration were most significant.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2026
Shalini Adnani’s poignant coming-of-age drama Our Share of Sand presents a unique perspective on India’s gaping class inequality, child labor and the deep corruption underpinning a family’s economic status.

— Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of underpinning

Adjective

Martha has the rare superhuman instincts required to keep both the class and the mess in harmonious balance, and watching her walk into RHONY is like watching a prima ballerina lead an elementary-school dance class.

— Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 9 Sep. 2026
As long as the elementary principles of supply-and-demand continue to hold sway, the invisible hand of the marketplace will keep on flipping the bird to the naysayers.

— Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of elementary

Verb

And neither were the co-hosts, who felt their fun, feel-good, not-that-serious event was suddenly being accused of upholding white supremacy.

— E. Alex Jung, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2026
The Supreme Court’s recent decision upholding state bans did not create a nationwide mandate, leaving California’s policy in effect.

— Alejandro Avila , Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 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 14 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of underlying

adjective

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

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