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.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of underlying
Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026
The region remains at heightened risk with none of the underlying tensions resolved.
—Steve Kopack, NBC news, 7 Apr. 2026
Ike Brannon, New York Daily News, 19 Apr. 2026
Although spring may be a particularly stressful time that lands someone in a crisis center or emergency room, most people in that situation need ongoing support to manage their underlying mental health concerns, Wolf said.
—Meg Wingerter, Denver Post, 18 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for underlying
Adjective
The legislation mandates that childcare centers provide parents with information about Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) — a common respiratory infection that can be especially dangerous for children with underlying conditions like sickle cell disease.
—Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026
The region remains at heightened risk with none of the underlying tensions resolved.
—Steve Kopack, NBC news, 7 Apr. 2026
Verb
The hard truth is that the city must address the underlying forces that are driving costs up while also finding new sources of revenue.
—Ike Brannon, New York Daily News, 19 Apr. 2026
Although spring may be a particularly stressful time that lands someone in a crisis center or emergency room, most people in that situation need ongoing support to manage their underlying mental health concerns, Wolf said.
—Meg Wingerter, Denver Post, 18 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for underlying
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underlying
Adjective
-
When citizens insist on shaping the basic terms of social life by appealing to premises that others cannot reasonably be expected to accept—revelation, doctrines of transcendence, private moral visions—the result is not a purer politics but a dangerously brittle one.—
Nikhil Krishnan,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Entrants had to meet some basic criteria, including either being fully autonomous (making their own decisions using AI and sensors) or remotely controlled (piloted by a human), with the competition putting an emphasis on the former over raw speed.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
19 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
All of the proceeds raised from the event went to supporting Altman's family.—
Victor Jacobo,
CBS News,
12 Apr. 2026
-
By his third hosting gig in 2014, he was joined onstage during his monologue by Leonardo DiCaprio, his co-star in the searing satire The Wolf of Wall Street, a Martin Scorsese picture that netted Hill his second Oscar nomination for best supporting actor after Moneyball just three years earlier.—
Josh Spiegel,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Brightman brings his signature manic charm, grounding Josh’s skepticism with just enough vulnerability to keep him from feeling like a walking punchline.—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
21 Apr. 2026
-
In his next at-bat, Keaschall swung at a first-pitch changeup, grounding into a double play.—
Betsy Helfand,
Twin Cities,
18 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
His pieces include solid wood chairs with a deliberately rudimentary, almost minimal design, integrating ornamental elements such as marquetry panels or tin bas-reliefs into their backs, legs or seats.—
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Several rudimentary suggestions for fake numbers follow.—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Disaster relief protections include a waiver of a one-time activation fee for establishing remote call forwarding.—
Cox Communications,
Oc Register,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Among those measures was a proposal requiring any ballot measure establishing a fee to undergo a thorough analysis and calculation as to the fee amount before it is presented to voters.—
Jan Goldsmith,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Proceeds support horticulture scholarships at MiraCosta College and fund garden programs in local elementary and middle schools.—
Linda Mcintosh,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Apr. 2026
-
This year, six staffers each covered multiple schools across elementary, middle and high school levels to provide therapy and referrals to Johnson County Mental Health.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The idea underpinning this film is that when two friends get together, there are both literal and figurative eruptions.—
Daniel D'Addario,
Variety,
17 Apr. 2026
-
The company has long invested in the technical infrastructure underpinning its feeds, creating a streaming backbone full of redundancies for Thursday Night Football and commissioning two new production trucks—nicknamed Bird and Magic—for its traveling NBA shows.—
Jacob Feldman,
Sportico.com,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
It was initially made available exclusively on the streaming service Tidal, reinforcing its status as a visual album rather than a traditional rollout.—
Caché McClay,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Smaller, independent businesses often have more flexibility to source locally, and your dollars are more likely to circulate through an entire regional supply chain instead of reinforcing national ones.—
Maryam Ahmed,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
22 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Underlying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underlying. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
