underlie

verb

un·​der·​lie ˌən-dər-ˈlī How to pronounce underlie (audio)
underlay ˌən-dər-ˈlā How to pronounce underlie (audio) ; underlain ˌən-dər-ˈlān How to pronounce underlie (audio) ; underlying ˌən-dər-ˈlī-iŋ How to pronounce underlie (audio)
Synonyms of underlienext

transitive verb

1
: to lie or be situated under
2
: to be at the basis of : form the foundation of : support
ideas underlying the revolution
3
: to exist as a claim or security superior and prior to (another)
4
archaic : to be subject or amenable to

Examples of underlie in a Sentence

A tile floor underlies the rug. The river is underlain by limestone. We discussed the principles that underlay their methods. A theme of revenge underlies much of her writing.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Instead of recognizing that a 1-paragraph block is not a 10-paragraph block, the generation engine assumed that formatting the technical specifications neatly satisfied the underlying intent. — New Atlas, 4 Sep. 2026 That doesn’t mean their command is bad, so Open Command is probably doing a better job of getting at the underlying skill in question. — Eno Sarris, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026 Al Khafaji estimated that its underlying technology could eventually automate between 50% and 60% of this phase, although considerable engineering work remained. — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 4 Sep. 2026 But such measures do not resolve the underlying imbalance between heavy borrowing and investor demand. — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for underlie

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Time Traveler
The first known use of underlie was before the 12th century

Rhymes for underlie

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Browse Nearby Words

under license
underlie
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Cite this Entry

“Underlie.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underlie. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

underlie

verb
un·​der·​lie ˌən-dər-ˈlī How to pronounce underlie (audio)
underlay -ˈlā How to pronounce underlie (audio) ; underlain -ˈlān How to pronounce underlie (audio) ; underlying -ˈlī-iŋ How to pronounce underlie (audio)
1
: to lie or be located under
2
: to form the foundation of : support
ideas underlying the revolt

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