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.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of underlie
Catherine O'Hara died from a pulmonary embolism, with cancer as the underlying cause, according to a Los Angeles County death certificate issued Monday, The Associated Press reported.
—
CBS News, 10 Feb. 2026
The underlying dispute centers on the funding mechanism for the more than $7 billion project, which Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and other plaintiffs argue is unconstitutional.
—Alex Driggars, Austin American Statesman, 10 Feb. 2026
Nolte said street-level beauty isn’t copying runway looks, but about absorbing their underlying mood.
—Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 10 Feb. 2026
People are interested in the stuff because the underlying scientific and philosophical questions are utterly fascinating.
—Caroline Mimbs Nyce, New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for underlie
CBS News, 10 Feb. 2026
The underlying dispute centers on the funding mechanism for the more than $7 billion project, which Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and other plaintiffs argue is unconstitutional.
—Alex Driggars, Austin American Statesman, 10 Feb. 2026
Nolte said street-level beauty isn’t copying runway looks, but about absorbing their underlying mood.
—Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 10 Feb. 2026
People are interested in the stuff because the underlying scientific and philosophical questions are utterly fascinating.
—Caroline Mimbs Nyce, New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for underlie
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underlie
Verb
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My job is to keep our mission, vision, and commitment to impact front and center and to make sure our staff feel supported and able to stay focused on the work.—
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson,
semafor.com,
6 Feb. 2026
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Trump supported Milei’s fiscal program last year with a $20-billion credit line that succeeded in calming markets and boosting Milei’s prospects in a crucial midterm election in October.—
Isabel Debre,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Palestinian citizens of Israel are descendants of those who were not expelled or forced to flee their homes when Israel was established in 1948.—
Zeena Saifi,
CNN Money,
15 Feb. 2026
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Phytoplankton establishes on the branches, which attracts zooplankton and insects.—
Bryan Hendricks,
Arkansas Online,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Glenn came in third place during today's women's free skate event after having to steady herself after the opening jump.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
8 Feb. 2026
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For CFOs watching, PayPal’s transition is another reminder that in periods of volatility, boards are often looking first to financial leadership, whether on an interim or permanent basis, to steady the enterprise and reset performance expectations.—
Sheryl Estrada,
Fortune,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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This experience grounds my approach in practicality, accountability, and real world outcomes rather than theory alone.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
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Lee Yi-shan has a unique ability to ground the supernatural in the emotional reality of her characters.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The company aims to maintain production continuity to assist workers with repetitive, physically demanding tasks while upholding quality and safety standards.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Feb. 2026
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An appeals court decision upheld those sanctions.—
Aysha Bagchi,
USA Today,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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By the Middle Ages, people in France and England believed birds began mating around that time of year, reinforcing the connection to romance.—
Katey Psencik,
Austin American Statesman,
14 Feb. 2026
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More off days for Altuve is another possibility — one that could be reinforced if the Astros do carry their current infield surplus into the season.—
Matt Kawahara,
Houston Chronicle,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The launcher carries six 300 mm rockets and is operated by a small crew working from within an armored cabin designed to protect against shrapnel and small-arms fire, according to reports.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Feb. 2026
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Of his goals, the strike just outside the box away to Inter carried the most threat.—
Art de Roché,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Given that the endangerment finding underpins all of the EPA’s noteworthy climate rules, this move is a big deal with significant consequences for efforts to tackle emissions as well as regulate companies.—
Justin Worland,
Time,
13 Feb. 2026
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The endangerment finding is widely considered the legal foundation that underpins a series of regulations intended to protect against threats made increasingly severe by climate change.—
Matthew Daly,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Underlie.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underlie. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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