1
as in coats
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 overlaps
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 overlays
The colors of the shoe remain accurate, with a bright red nubuck upper, white leather overlays, black details and a 49ers-appropriate gold mesh underlay and heel Nike Air embroidery.
—
Riley Jones, Footwear News, 31 Jan. 2026
Surgeons operated from a cockpit in the operating room, using an input device that provided real-time augmentation, overlays, and tactile paddles while viewing a 3D monitor fed by multimodal imaging.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 4 Dec. 2025
For example, in one platform’s presentation, none of the content demonstrated was localized into English, and video clips shown were not stripped of the extensive Japanese text overlays that are a hallmark of Japanese television, despite the platform being meant for international producers.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 6 Nov. 2025
Goldman is recommending adding downside hedges such as S & P 500 options overlays with drawdown probabilities at current levels.
—Yun Li, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2025
Layer Stretch is an additional control for all scene layers and overlays to manipulate an input or graphic.
—Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025
The author overlays the bleak downtown’s empty storefronts, the rundown houses and harsh economics with the landscape’s sheer beauty.
—Oline H. Cogdill, Sun Sentinel, 21 Aug. 2025
Riley Jones, Footwear News, 31 Jan. 2026
Surgeons operated from a cockpit in the operating room, using an input device that provided real-time augmentation, overlays, and tactile paddles while viewing a 3D monitor fed by multimodal imaging.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 4 Dec. 2025
For example, in one platform’s presentation, none of the content demonstrated was localized into English, and video clips shown were not stripped of the extensive Japanese text overlays that are a hallmark of Japanese television, despite the platform being meant for international producers.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 6 Nov. 2025
Goldman is recommending adding downside hedges such as S & P 500 options overlays with drawdown probabilities at current levels.
—Yun Li, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2025
Layer Stretch is an additional control for all scene layers and overlays to manipulate an input or graphic.
—Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025
The author overlays the bleak downtown’s empty storefronts, the rundown houses and harsh economics with the landscape’s sheer beauty.
—Oline H. Cogdill, Sun Sentinel, 21 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overlays
Verb
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It’s known for its precision nylon brush—more like a flat comb than a fluffy spoolie—that thoroughly coats, lifts, and lengthens each individual lash.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
3 Feb. 2026
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The most visible sign of this decay is the toxic white foam that now coats the surface, a thick layer of sewage and industrial waste that has formed over sections of the river.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Sazón overlaps some, and also contains annatto for color, plus coriander, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and oregano.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
5 Feb. 2026
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If subfreezing air overlaps with incoming Pacific moisture, Central Texas could face another round of winter weather.—
Newsroom Meteorologist,
Austin American Statesman,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In addition to the services offered athletes during the Games, Team USA’s travel insurance carrier covers ongoing care to athletes who sustain injuries at the Olympics that require follow-up.—
Sara Germano,
Sportico.com,
13 Feb. 2026
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The district now fully covers monthly premiums for its employees but has proposed charging employees a monthly rate, with a sliding scale based on their salaries.—
Scott Travis,
Sun Sentinel,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
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
“Overlays.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overlays. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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