underlie
verb
un·der·lie
ˌən-dər-ˈlī 
underlay
ˌən-dər-ˈlā
; underlain
ˌən-dər-ˈlān
; underlying
ˌən-dər-ˈlī-iŋ
; underlain
ˌən-dər-ˈlān
; underlying
ˌən-dər-ˈlī-iŋ
Examples of underlie in a Sentence
A tile floor underlies the rug.
The river is underlain by limestone.
We discussed the principles that underlay their methods.
A theme of revenge underlies much of her writing.
Recent Examples on the Web
The state announced last week the first death in the outbreak — a school-age child who was not vaccinated and had no underlying health conditions.
—
Alexandra Banner, CNN, 5 Mar. 2025
JPMorgan said the results were broadly in line with underlying assumptions, and Flutter is its top overweight pick within the gaming sector.
—Robert Olsen, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
But analysts doubt these measures directly nor adequately address the underlying reasons for lackluster consumption: public anxiety about future earnings amid a torpid economy and the falling values of real estate, which forms the principal store of household wealth.
—Charlie Campbell, TIME, 5 Mar. 2025
All the public could see would be a name, age, gender, hometown and cause of death — not the underlying steps coroners take to reach conclusions.
—Audrey Dutton, ProPublica, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for underlie
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Alexandra Banner, CNN, 5 Mar. 2025
JPMorgan said the results were broadly in line with underlying assumptions, and Flutter is its top overweight pick within the gaming sector.
—Robert Olsen, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
But analysts doubt these measures directly nor adequately address the underlying reasons for lackluster consumption: public anxiety about future earnings amid a torpid economy and the falling values of real estate, which forms the principal store of household wealth.
—Charlie Campbell, TIME, 5 Mar. 2025
All the public could see would be a name, age, gender, hometown and cause of death — not the underlying steps coroners take to reach conclusions.
—Audrey Dutton, ProPublica, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for underlie
Cite this Entry
“Underlie.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underlie. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
underlie
verb
un·der·lie
ˌən-dər-ˈlī
1
: to lie or be located under
2
: to form the foundation of : support
ideas underlying the revolt
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