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
Relevance
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
Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 30 Sep. 2025
His underlying numbers at five-on-five held steady, too.
—The Athletic Nhl, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
Jesse Granger, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
This typically aims to focus on the root cause through tackling underlying social, economic and environmental factors that can impact someone’s health.
—Health Reporter, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for underlying
Adjective
The underlying numbers suggest KU isn’t helping itself on early downs.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 30 Sep. 2025
His underlying numbers at five-on-five held steady, too.
—The Athletic Nhl, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
Verb
The underlying metrics for each player paint a picture of what could be one of the most possession-dominant lines in the NHL.
—Jesse Granger, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
This typically aims to focus on the root cause through tackling underlying social, economic and environmental factors that can impact someone’s health.
—Health Reporter, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for underlying
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underlying
Adjective
-
Even the smallest cabin, Clunie, has a kitchen area with a stovetop, microwave, and fridge; it’s also outfitted with basic kitchen utensils and Wi-Fi.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
4 Oct. 2025
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But Makovsky is concerned that a prolonged shutdown could cause disruptions as workers missing their paychecks must figure out how to pay for rent, groceries and other basic needs.—
Michael Salerno,
AZCentral.com,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Soluble fiber is effective for lowering cholesterol, supporting the growth of beneficial bacteria in the digestive system, and keeping stools soft and easy to pass.—
Jillian Kubala,
Health,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Particularly, the problem is acute in remote and low-income regions, which lack continuous electricity and supporting infrastructure needed for large, centralized water treatment facilities.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The president of the European Commission highlighted that in just the last two weeks, Russian drones and warplanes have violated the airspace of six European nations, scrambling jets, grounding commercial flights and posing a direct threat to EU citizens.—
Caitlin McFall,
FOXNews.com,
8 Oct. 2025
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Each piece was weathered and color-coded to signal hierarchy and purpose, grounding the film’s grand concept of a migrating Earth into reality.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Without data centers, flights would be grounded (pilots could not get weather info and flight plans would not be available), communication would become rudimentary, payments would stop processing (welcome back, bartering) — even 911, which goes through an online system, would shut down.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
8 Oct. 2025
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Over time, these rudimentary structures gave way to more ambitious designs.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Some cities have gone further, establishing minimum wage rates above state levels to account for higher living costs in major metropolitan regions.—
Aliss Higham,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Oct. 2025
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The younger Hullar told Dateline UC Davis that his father played a linchpin role in establishing UC Davis as an academic and research leader in fields beyond agriculture and veterinary medicine.—
Cathie Anderson,
Sacbee.com,
10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Until recently, Academy, a public school that enrolls more than three hundred elementary-age students, had a single dishwashing machine that could handle one large sheet pan at a time.—
Jessica Winter,
New Yorker,
4 Oct. 2025
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New buildings incoming After the approval of a $180 million bond initiative last year, KCKPS pledged to construct two new middle schools, consolidate two elementary campuses into one and add an addition to Sumner Academy within five years.—
Sofi Zeman
October 2,
Kansas City Star,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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That’s the sort of question underpinning Prime Video’s latest comedy reality series.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
9 Oct. 2025
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That points to the major dilemma underpinning Sharaa’s position.—
Mireille Rebeiz,
The Conversation,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
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And, of course, vice versa, reinforcing the disparity for those in peripheral locations.—
Sarah Maokosy,
Fortune,
4 Oct. 2025
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Each item is intimately tied to the library space, reinforcing Assouline’s belief that a library is not merely a room but a sanctuary for ideas, aesthetics, and meaningful objects.—
Sofia Celeste,
Footwear News,
3 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Underlying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underlying. Accessed 11 Oct. 2025.
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