1
as in to overlap
to lie over parts of one another
the puzzle pieces overlay one another in complete disarray on the floor
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in to coat
to form a layer over
there will be freezing rain tonight, so we can expect to find a thick layer of ice overlying the car windshield in the morning
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of overlie
Geologists have long suspected that Afar is underlain by a mantle plume, a pillar of upwelling hot material that is helping to drive apart the overlying crust.
—
Ian Randall, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 June 2025
This finding indicates that the ecosystem was no longer being sustained by the nutrients from the hydrothermal system being released into the overlying ocean.
—David Bressan, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
Mantle plumes are convectional upwellings of hot material from the deep mantle that can cause localized melting and deformations to the overlying crust.
—New Atlas, 19 Apr. 2025
Much of the Floridan Aquifer is shielded significantly from downward migration of pollution by overlying layers of dense, impermeable clay.
—Kevin Spear, Orlando Sentinel, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overlie
Ian Randall, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 June 2025
This finding indicates that the ecosystem was no longer being sustained by the nutrients from the hydrothermal system being released into the overlying ocean.
—David Bressan, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
Mantle plumes are convectional upwellings of hot material from the deep mantle that can cause localized melting and deformations to the overlying crust.
—New Atlas, 19 Apr. 2025
Much of the Floridan Aquifer is shielded significantly from downward migration of pollution by overlying layers of dense, impermeable clay.
—Kevin Spear, Orlando Sentinel, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overlie
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overlie
Verb
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Maybe a persona of boastful anger has something in common, and the two persona vectors overlap.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
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Gaudí’s secular and sacred impulses overlapped.—
D. T. Max,
New Yorker,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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They are made of billions of small chunks of ice and rock coated with other materials such as dust.—
Jenna Prestininzi,
Freep.com,
17 Sep. 2025
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Stock image of a frying pan coated with beef tallow.—
Toby Meyjes,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Fifty-two of 64 analysts covering the stock have a strong buy or buy rating, according to LSEG.—
Sean Conlon,
CNBC,
18 Sep. 2025
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Dell’s port selection covers but doesn't exceed the essentials for a mainstream laptop.—
Charles Jefferies,
PC Magazine,
18 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Overlie.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overlie. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.
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