underlying

1 of 2

adjective

un·​der·​ly·​ing ˌən-dər-ˈlī-iŋ How to pronounce underlying (audio)
Synonyms of underlying
1
a
: lying beneath or below
the underlying rock is shale
b
: basic, fundamental
an investigation of the underlying issues
2
: evident only on close inspection : implicit
3
: anterior and prior in claim
underlying mortgage
4
: of or being present in deep structure
underlying word order

underlying

2 of 2

present participle of underlie

Synonyms of underlying

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Adjective

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Examples of underlying in a Sentence

Adjective the ocean and the underlying rock the underlying differences between democracy and dictatorship
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.
Adjective
How do cells with the same underlying molecular handedness produce bodies that can develop in opposite directions? — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026 But the lesson of these recent developments is that, at some point, the US may have to look seriously at the underlying problem creating this mess in the first place. — Dylan Scott, Vox, 15 Oct. 2026 The details about each incident were limited and some could involve other factors such as heat or underlying medical conditions. — Blake Ellis, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2026 Given that this uplift comes from the algorithm not weighing GPU performance as heavily, the underlying native frame rate should be higher, reducing the more typical artifacts of frame generation. — Jon Martindale, PC Magazine, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for underlying

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of underlying was in 1611

Rhymes for underlying

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Browse Nearby Words

underly
underlying
underlying bond
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Cite this Entry

“Underlying.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underlying. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

underlying

adjective
un·​der·​ly·​ing ˌən-dər-ˌlī-iŋ How to pronounce underlying (audio)
1
: lying under or below
the underlying rock
2
: fundamental entry 1 sense 1

Medical Definition

underlying

adjective
un·​der·​ly·​ing -ˌlī-iŋ How to pronounce underlying (audio)
: serving as a basis or cause (as of secondary symptoms)
the underlying brain malformation that caused the hydrocephalus—R. M. Henig
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