1
2
as in to establish
to form the basis or foundation of (something, such as an idea)
The assumption that underlies their argument is faulty.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of underlie
There are quick but indelible glimpses of signs for the whites-only ticket booth, waiting room, and rest room; when Stack, seeing a white woman nearby, orders Sammie to avert his eyes and walk away, the screen shivers with the ambient terror underlying the banalities of segregation.
—
Richard Brody, New Yorker, 17 Apr. 2025
These measures address symptoms of our current educational crises, not the underlying cause.
—Catherine Goetze, Time, 17 Apr. 2025
Several factors contribute to this disparity—from lack of access to the proper pre-natal care to a higher likelihood of pregnancy complications and underlying chronic conditions like hypertension and diabetes.
—Morgan A. Grain, Essence, 15 Apr. 2025
In the future, advanced AI agents will be able to handle complex requests and workflows, generating sophisticated answers from underlying data resources.
—Hank Boughner, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for underlie
Richard Brody, New Yorker, 17 Apr. 2025
These measures address symptoms of our current educational crises, not the underlying cause.
—Catherine Goetze, Time, 17 Apr. 2025
Several factors contribute to this disparity—from lack of access to the proper pre-natal care to a higher likelihood of pregnancy complications and underlying chronic conditions like hypertension and diabetes.
—Morgan A. Grain, Essence, 15 Apr. 2025
In the future, advanced AI agents will be able to handle complex requests and workflows, generating sophisticated answers from underlying data resources.
—Hank Boughner, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for underlie
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underlie
Verb
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Survivors and community members at Florida State University came together to grieve and support each other at a vigil that drew thousands after two people were killed and more were injured in an April 17 campus shooting.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
20 Apr. 2025
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As an entrepreneur with more than 25 years of experience in starting, running and advising companies in the software and life sciences sector, his role is to support the university’s emerging entrepreneurs, equipping them build viable companies.—
Trevor Clawson,
Forbes.com,
19 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Coogler established himself, with Creed and his two Black Panthermovies, as a filmmaker with propulsive, novel takes on franchise fare.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
18 Apr. 2025
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What things like weekly releases, time slots, and appointment television do is establish a habit.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
18 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Among Madsen Lindemann’s other financial measures was a dramatic scaling back on original drama spend, a move that hit local producers hard, but steadied the ship at Viaplay.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
24 Apr. 2025
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Iran seeks a deal to steady a troubled economy Iran’s internal politics are still inflamed over the mandatory hijab, or headscarf, with women still ignoring the law on the streets of Tehran.—
Matthew Lee and Jon Gambrell,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Apr. 2025
Verb
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So, what keeps this young group grounded as the pressure mounts?—
Sindiswa Mabunda,
Forbes.com,
19 Apr. 2025
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This highly professional and grounded attitude is hardly surprising given Williams' extensive experience in the U.S. military and many, many hours logged in space.—
Sean Mowbray,
Discover Magazine,
18 Apr. 2025
Verb
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For example, Vampire Stack upholds his promise to Smoke about letting Sammie live out his life in peace.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
23 Apr. 2025
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Penman appealed the 30-day period to the Appellate Court of Maryland, which upheld the Harford County Circuit Court’s ruling.—
Matt Hubbard,
Baltimore Sun,
23 Apr. 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,
19 Apr. 2025
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That includes carving out meeting-free hours, encouraging asynchronous communication when possible, and reinforcing that deep work matters.—
Dr. Diane Hamilton,
Forbes.com,
18 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Macdonald-King said the new charging facility is designed to serve as a transfer point between the specialized trucks that carry freight from the port and other trucks that ply the interstate highways to the east and north.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Apr. 2025
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One that carries more weight with the context of the previous episode, in which Gibbs discovered that his VA support group leader was Sandman, a deadly sniper the team has been hunting since the pilot.—
Maureen Lee Lenker,
EW.com,
24 Apr. 2025
Verb
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This underpins our view that DIS is a good stock to buy.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
17 Apr. 2025
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Although Coogler’s film encompasses legend and mysticism, his manner is rationally extravagant; the action, even at its most fantastical, is underpinned by audacious ideas.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
17 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Underlie.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underlie. Accessed 1 May. 2025.
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