UNDERLIE Synonyms: 44 Similar and Opposite Words

underlie

verb

Definition of underlie

as in to support

to lie underneath A layer of rock underlies the topsoil.

Related Words

Relevance

as in to establish

to form the basis or foundation of (something, such as an idea) The assumption that underlies their argument is faulty.

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of underlie But Sohn adds that diversifying away from the S&P 500 risk in this environment can also mean thinking about sectors such as natural resources and energy, from metals & mining names to underlying commodities. — Eric Rosenbaum, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2026 Incorporating a few nutritious staples into the diet can help reduce belly fat and, in turn, lead to underlying health benefits. — Sadie Chafe, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026 This mismatch between what’s good for people’s health and what’s good for the corporate bottom line has long been one of the underlying flaws in the US health system. — Dylan Scott, Vox, 15 Oct. 2026 And now this partnership really underlies our ecosystems on Earth. — Quanta Magazine, 15 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for underlie

Recent Examples of Synonyms for underlie

Verb

The ban had been imposed by the central elections committee, a political body dominated by Netanyahu allies, on the basis that the parties supported armed struggle against Israel.

— The Week UK, TheWeek, 18 Oct. 2026
For a government overseeing a population dominated by mobile expats, that created a lot of uncertainty in terms of establishing an economic base that can support a welfare system and basic state infrastructure.

— Mia Osmonbekov, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of support

Verb

But a key rationale for eligibility rules is to establish bright-line, predictable rules that should promote fair play and competition, with colleges, coaches and athletes treated similarly in similar situations.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Since establishing his label in Paris in 1937, Roger Vivier became known for experimentation with form, materials and heel shapes — a vocabulary creative director Gherardo Felloni continues to mine today.

— Thomas Waller, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of establish

Verb

Rams coach Sean McVay is hopeful new kicker Blake Grupe will help steady a special teams unit that struggled mightily in the team’s overtime loss to the Bills.

— Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
How do you — not as an anthropologist and not as a filmmaker, but as a human — steady yourself through witnessing something like this?

— Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of steady

Verb

Getting observational data from Thwaites’ grounding line is the next step, Rignot said.

— Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2026
Of course, the West itself is a nebulous concept, one that was wholly absent from the ancient Greek and Roman luminaries who ground its canon.

— Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of ground

Verb

For decades, the United States favored an international order that forbade wars of conquest, upheld freedom of the seas, maintained a generally open global economy, and allowed populations to exercise democratic rights, even if autocracies remained.

— Andrea Kendall-Taylor, Foreign Affairs, 16 Oct. 2026
In a June ruling, the Supreme Court upheld states' authority to count mail-in ballots received after Election Day, provided they were cast on time and meet state deadlines.

— Sarah Agostino, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of uphold

Verb

Matt Schnaars, president of platform distribution and partnerships for NBCUniversal, reinforced Shapiro’s observations in a separate session.

— Leo Barraclough, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
The audience response has reinforced interest in experiencing independent films on the big screen and helped inform ABFF’s expansion into theatrical distribution.

— Brent Lang, IndieWire, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of reinforce

Verb

China is looking to tighten biotechnology exports, but will leave the door open for licensing deals with foreign drugmakers that have underpinned its position as a growing pharmaceutical powerhouse, Bloomberg Law reports.

— Ed Silverman, STAT, 16 Oct. 2026
The $56 million contract signals another step in the development of the industrial and technical framework underpinning AUKUS.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of underpin

Browse Nearby Words

underlay

underlie

underlies

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Style

“Underlie.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underlie. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of underlie

verb

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