1
as in supported
to lie underneath
A layer of rock underlies the topsoil.
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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.
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Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of underlay
Amazon Bedrock will underlay the solution, according to a release.
—
Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 26 July 2024
There are unresolved tensions in Williams’s script that could use some pressure, like the way Cephus’s seeming nostalgia exists alongside his acknowledgment of segregation, or how economic realities underlay his journey north (and only a deus ex machina allows his return to the South).
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 5 June 2024
Chris Messina steals scenes as unhinged, foul-mouthed agent David Falk, while Jason Bateman underlays his straight-man deadpan with subtle emotion as Rob Strasser.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 11 July 2023
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
Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 26 July 2024
There are unresolved tensions in Williams’s script that could use some pressure, like the way Cephus’s seeming nostalgia exists alongside his acknowledgment of segregation, or how economic realities underlay his journey north (and only a deus ex machina allows his return to the South).
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 5 June 2024
Chris Messina steals scenes as unhinged, foul-mouthed agent David Falk, while Jason Bateman underlays his straight-man deadpan with subtle emotion as Rob Strasser.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 11 July 2023
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 research, published in Nature Photonics, was supported by the Army Research Office, NSF, DARPA, and NASA’s JPL.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
13 Sep. 2025
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What began as a handful of campus groups now stretches across more than 3,500 high schools and universities, supported by dozens of full-time staff who manage student activists like a professional sales force.—
Samantha-Jo Roth,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Javier Sanoja grounded out to end the seventh with runners at the corners.—
Steve Gorten,
Miami Herald,
15 Sep. 2025
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In my career, I’ve been guided by four principles that keep me grounded and consistent in times of uncertainty and growth alike.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In January, the Supreme Court unanimously upheld legislation requiring ByteDance to divest or face a nationwide ban.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Sep. 2025
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If the 12-match ban is upheld, Berthoumieu will miss France’s upcoming semifinal against England on Saturday and either the bronze medal game or the final on September 27 as well as a further 10 matches in her domestic championship.—
Ben Morse,
CNN Money,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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As has been established…He is trained by Bob Baffert.—
Danny Brewer,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
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What To Know The supporting drama actor category, formally established in 1970, has seen 13 Black actors accumulate 23 nominations over five decades.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Johnstone directed and penned the screenplay based on characters created by Akela Cooper & James Wan.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
12 Sep. 2025
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The creation of this content included the use of AI based on templates created, reviewed and edited by journalists in the newsroom.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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As the fireline is constructed, inspected or reinforced, mappers record those details to adjust the containment percentage.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
16 Sep. 2025
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Data on job growth continues to fall short of forecasts, and downward revisions to past figures from the Department of Labor have reinforced the view that the Fed may need to stimulate consumer spending, lower borrowing costs and encourage investment to prevent a labor market crisis.—
Hugh Cameron,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Cosmists who believed in technology as a messianic force clashed not just with the Svyatogor camp, but also with the communists, whose guiding ideology of Marxism-Leninism was predicated on the dismantling of age-old social systems to establish a novel world order.—
Tim Brinkhof,
Big Think,
12 Sep. 2025
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The call is predicated on Fed officials continuing to worry about inflation but focusing more on jobs.—
Jeff Cox,
CNBC,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Underlay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underlay. Accessed 19 Sep. 2025.
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