1
as in to coat
to form a layer over
you should apply a coat of primer first, and then overlay it with two coats of paint
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in to overlap
to lie over parts of one another
cedar shingles overlaying one another on the roof
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of overlay
Fears was one of the most vocal supporters of a $55 million general obligation bond approved by Independence voters last year, earmarked for rebuilding and overlaying streets around Independence.
—
Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2026
To do this, Schlatter overlaid the crowding composites tracked by Citi.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 31 Mar. 2026
Dodd-Frank, for example, kept much of the financial system intact and simply overlaid an additional technocratic layer of long, complicated regulations on top of a problematic market and regulatory structure.
—Ganesh Sitaraman, Time, 26 Mar. 2026
Rather than going with the traditional Grand Wagoneer woodgrain, Jeep overlaid a topographical design that runs from the front to the rear fenders.
—Caleb Jacobs, The Drive, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for overlay
Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2026
To do this, Schlatter overlaid the crowding composites tracked by Citi.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 31 Mar. 2026
Dodd-Frank, for example, kept much of the financial system intact and simply overlaid an additional technocratic layer of long, complicated regulations on top of a problematic market and regulatory structure.
—Ganesh Sitaraman, Time, 26 Mar. 2026
Rather than going with the traditional Grand Wagoneer woodgrain, Jeep overlaid a topographical design that runs from the front to the rear fenders.
—Caleb Jacobs, The Drive, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for overlay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overlay
Verb
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This gel-like substance coats your gut and binds to cholesterol, preventing it from entering your bloodstream.—
Colleen Doherty,
Verywell Health,
14 May 2026
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Certain mascaras, foundations and dental flosses also use PFAS as texture or coating agents.—
Allison Palmer,
Miami Herald,
14 May 2026
Verb
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That drone touches down at the address of architect Otone Komoto (Haruka Ayase), who designed her family’s modernist home, an arrangement of overlapping boxes stacked around a garden courtyard.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
16 May 2026
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The testimony of Shivon Zilis — senior Musk adviser, former OpenAI board member and mother of four of his children — showed how thoroughly personal and professional relationships overlapped inside early OpenAI.—
Anisha Sircar,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2026
Verb
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Pour in an additional 4 cups water (chicken should be covered; if not, add more water).—
Rebecca Firkser,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
14 May 2026
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Designers were clever enough to install a series of waterfalls that spill into the pool to cover up traffic noise from the pool’s location.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
14 May 2026
Verb
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Both Bestor and architect Tim Barber, who counts Matt Duffer and Ramin Djawadi as clients, employ Densdeck Roof Boards and Densinglas sheeting, a fiberglass-matt gypsum panel considered sustainable because of its durability and recycled content, in their work.—
Abigail Stone,
HollywoodReporter,
22 Apr. 2026
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Reroll the dough sheets away from you into cylinders and loosely pinch them closed.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Overlay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overlay. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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