1
as in supported
to lie underneath
A layer of rock underlies the topsoil.
Related Words
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2
as in grounded
to form the basis or foundation of (something, such as an idea)
The assumption that underlies their argument is faulty.
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of underlay
There are still cheerleaders who say H.W. and Clinton’s top-tax-rate increases underlay the 1990s boom and budget surpluses.
—
Brian Domitrovic, Forbes.com, 10 May 2025
There was another story that underlay the peace negotiations, and that was the story of the love between Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter.
—Lawrence Wright, The New Yorker, 29 Dec. 2024
The consumer welfare philosophy also underlay U.S. negotiations that resulted in international antitrust cooperation agreements and in competition chapters within bilateral and multilateral trade agreements.
—Alden Abbott, Forbes, 26 Nov. 2024
Another key part of the trick involves an appreciation of two psychological systems that underlay our decision making, as described by Daniel Kahneman, a psychologist and Nobel Prize-winner.
—IEEE Spectrum, 11 Aug. 2017
See All Example Sentences for underlay
Brian Domitrovic, Forbes.com, 10 May 2025
There was another story that underlay the peace negotiations, and that was the story of the love between Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter.
—Lawrence Wright, The New Yorker, 29 Dec. 2024
The consumer welfare philosophy also underlay U.S. negotiations that resulted in international antitrust cooperation agreements and in competition chapters within bilateral and multilateral trade agreements.
—Alden Abbott, Forbes, 26 Nov. 2024
Another key part of the trick involves an appreciation of two psychological systems that underlay our decision making, as described by Daniel Kahneman, a psychologist and Nobel Prize-winner.
—IEEE Spectrum, 11 Aug. 2017
See All Example Sentences for underlay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underlay
Verb
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The editorial strategy, Cheney said, is supported by a social media presence designed to work in tandem with the reporting.—
Thomas Waller,
Footwear News,
10 Feb. 2026
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The State Marketplace Network, a collective of 22 state marketplaces supported by the National Academy for State Health Policy, said initial enrollment figures raise concern.—
Julie Appleby,
CBS News,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Connecticut should continue to fortify its legal framework so that care decisions remain between patients, families, and medical professionals — not politicians or out-of-state actors — and so that the right to bodily autonomy is grounded as securely as possible in state law.—
Matthew Blinstrubas,
Hartford Courant,
7 Feb. 2026
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Lots of singing has been helping us a lot to keep ourselves grounded.—
Anna Moeslein,
Glamour,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The Idaho Supreme Court upheld Idaho’s $50 million tax credit program that directs public money toward private schools and homeschooling expenses.—
Becca Savransky,
Idaho Statesman,
6 Feb. 2026
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Belief in the Supreme Court’s authority is largely shared across the aisle, with 76 percent of Republicans, 90 percent of Democrats and 79 percent of independents agreeing that its judicial authority should be upheld.—
Kate Nishimura,
Sourcing Journal,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Although, an official shade of blue has not been established for the flag.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
10 Feb. 2026
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Cannon established Coppermark and almost immediately reached out to Stephanie Lee, a roofing contractor and independent adjuster with extensive experience in hail, wind, and tornado damage.—
J.C. Hallman,
Oklahoman,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Here are three stocks favored by some of Wall Street’s top pros, according to TipRanks, a platform that ranks analysts based on their past performance.—
TipRanks,
CNBC,
8 Feb. 2026
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The frequency and pattern of these spikes change based on both contact intensity and location.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
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But the slow drip of revelations has reinforced a perception that power protects itself and that ordinary citizens live under a different standard.—
Kaitlyn Buss,
Boston Herald,
8 Feb. 2026
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Other concerns have now been reinforced in court.—
Natalie Leticia Gallón,
Miami Herald,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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This is predicated on the bedrock principle that boards of directors are entrusted to oversee management of companies and are best equipped to decide how to balance company objectives, not single-purpose organizations who see everything through a narrow, black or white decision-making prism.—
Robert Profusek,
Fortune,
11 Feb. 2026
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If Mike Macdonald’s defensive gameplan is predicated on getting the ball out of Drake Maye’s hand quickly, then getting the ballcarriers on the ground just as quickly is vital.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Underlay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underlay. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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