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
These devices may be attached externally, hidden inside the pump, or paired with cameras or keypad overlays to capture PINs.
—
Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 16 May 2026
Navy and white color-blocking sees the former color applied to patent leather overlays with contrast stitching, which stands out atop a white leather base.
—Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 22 Apr. 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
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
Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 16 May 2026
Navy and white color-blocking sees the former color applied to patent leather overlays with contrast stitching, which stands out atop a white leather base.
—Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 22 Apr. 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
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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So c’mon, Bron; pull a couple of those Cleveland coats out of storage and give yourself one more real chance in Minnesota.—
John Hollinger,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
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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
Verb
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Recognizing that student cell phone use overlaps with multiple areas (including instruction, student well-being, safety and communication), the district sought to better understand how these priorities are perceived across the educational partner groups, according to a staff report.—
Julie Gallant,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 May 2026
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Chagyrskaya 64 has a second cavity, which overlaps a groove in the side of the tooth that looks like trademark evidence of picking.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
13 May 2026
Verb
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The deal covers around 1,500 Teamsters members, including drivers, animal trainers and wranglers, chef assistants and location scouts and managers.—
Katie Kilkenny,
HollywoodReporter,
22 May 2026
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The Post also floated the idea that lightweight manhole covers — plastic or fiberglass — that have in some places replaced cast-iron ones and require a latch to stay in place are more prone to being dislodged, and that this perhaps was to blame.—
Christopher Bonanos,
Curbed,
22 May 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 24 May. 2026.
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