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
This sort of hypothesis—this mechanism underlies that disease, and the drug over there can target it—is also one of the more concrete forms of hypothesis in biology.
—
ArsTechnica, 19 May 2026
Expanding your sourcing channels, engaging passive candidates and tapping underutilized pipelines like referral programs and educational partnerships can meaningfully improve your results — but only if the underlying opportunity is competitive enough to close on.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 19 May 2026
Federal safety investigators began hearings Tuesday to examine why the engine flew off a UPS cargo plane last year, causing a crash that killed 15 people, and why Boeing didn’t address the underlying flaw sooner.
—Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 19 May 2026
The Two Layers That Actually Matter The first is the trustworthiness of the underlying intelligence.
—Joel Hron, Fortune, 19 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for underlie
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ArsTechnica, 19 May 2026
Expanding your sourcing channels, engaging passive candidates and tapping underutilized pipelines like referral programs and educational partnerships can meaningfully improve your results — but only if the underlying opportunity is competitive enough to close on.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 19 May 2026
Federal safety investigators began hearings Tuesday to examine why the engine flew off a UPS cargo plane last year, causing a crash that killed 15 people, and why Boeing didn’t address the underlying flaw sooner.
—Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 19 May 2026
The Two Layers That Actually Matter The first is the trustworthiness of the underlying intelligence.
—Joel Hron, Fortune, 19 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for underlie
Cite this Entry
“Underlie.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underlie. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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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