underlying
adjective
un·der·ly·ing
ˌən-dər-ˈlī-iŋ 
1
a
: lying beneath or below
the underlying rock is shale
b
: basic, fundamental
an investigation of the underlying issues
2
: evident only on close inspection : implicit
3
: anterior and prior in claim
underlying mortgage
4
: of or being present in deep structure
underlying word order
Examples of underlying in a Sentence
the ocean and the underlying rock
the underlying differences between democracy and dictatorship
Recent Examples on the Web
Framing perfectly normal facial swelling as evidence of an underlying health problem is, at best, disingenuous.
—
Georgia Casey, Allure, 6 Feb. 2026
And a third is that there may be similar underlying risk factors.
—Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 6 Feb. 2026
While the underlying mechanisms behind heart failure remain elusive, our findings suggest that viewing heart failure as an autoimmune condition could help lead to new treatments.
—Shyam Bansal, The Conversation, 5 Feb. 2026
Powell needs to address underlying causes, not just symptoms.
—Annelise Riles, Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for underlying
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Georgia Casey, Allure, 6 Feb. 2026
And a third is that there may be similar underlying risk factors.
—Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 6 Feb. 2026
While the underlying mechanisms behind heart failure remain elusive, our findings suggest that viewing heart failure as an autoimmune condition could help lead to new treatments.
—Shyam Bansal, The Conversation, 5 Feb. 2026
Powell needs to address underlying causes, not just symptoms.
—Annelise Riles, Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for underlying
Cite this Entry
“Underlying.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underlying. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
underlying
adjective
un·der·ly·ing
ˌən-dər-ˌlī-iŋ
1
: lying under or below
the underlying rock
Medical Definition
underlying
adjective
un·der·ly·ing
-ˌlī-iŋ
: serving as a basis or cause (as of secondary symptoms)
the underlying brain malformation that caused the hydrocephalus—R. M. Henig
R. M. HenigLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
