UNDERLIES Synonyms: 44 Similar and Opposite Words

underlies

verb

present tense third-person singular of underlie

as in supports

to lie underneath A layer of rock underlies the topsoil.

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as in grounds

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

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 underlies And now this partnership really underlies our ecosystems on Earth. — Quanta Magazine, 15 Oct. 2026 Permafrost, a layer of ground made up of soil, rock and sediment, underlies nearly 15% of the land surface in the Northern Hemisphere. — Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026 The same principle underlies brainwriting, a technique that reliably outperforms conventional brainstorming. — Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026 The same philosophy underlies a series of larger reforms already underway. — Bethany Mandel, The Washington Examiner, 16 Aug. 2026 This approach underlies the security of cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum and, with RSA, helps secure modern internet traffic. — IEEE Spectrum, 7 July 2026 And that’s the question that underlies much of what’s onscreen in this perplexing, entertaining, frustrating picture. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 1 July 2026 But in making their arguments, the authors went further, addressing fundamental questions of politics by laying out the political theory that underlies that Constitution. — Jordan Cash, The Conversation, 8 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for underlies

Verb

Jackson supports expanding the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, which helps certain homeowners and renters with energy costs.

— Maydeen Merino, The Washington Examiner, 15 Oct. 2026
The integrated workflow also supports maintenance and repair, helping the team identify hardware issues and return robots to testing faster.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of supports

Verb

Sézane’s Bridget grounds the silhouette in glossy black leather, with a streamlined knee-high construction that works particularly well against oversized tailoring and fluid skirts.

— Camila Quimper, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
Tart Deco mixes black cherry, rose, and mimosa, then grounds them with birchwood, vetiver, and vanilla.

— Ethan Stone October 9, Idaho Statesman, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of grounds

Verb

The third book, A Court of Wings and Ruin, essentially wraps up Feyre’s story and establishes the storylines and characters that will propel the series forward.

— Anna Moeslein, Glamour, 17 Oct. 2026
The constitutional amendment establishes a 40-hour weekly limit and two rest days without reducing pay.

— Mauricio Savarese, Fortune, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of establishes

Verb

As performance cars increasingly isolate drivers from the mechanical process of driving, the simple act of reaching for that unique shift knob reinforces the notion that the tactile pleasures of driving are still worth celebrating.

— Bradley Iger, Robb Report, 16 Oct. 2026
Tom Pelphrey’s recent Emmy win for Task only reinforces that view, as do the flourishing careers of Lewis Pullman and Imogen Poots.

— Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of reinforces

Verb

The prime minister said the path to creating work for all the country’s school leavers rests on developing the private sector through investment.

— Alexis Akwagyiram, semafor.com, 12 Oct. 2026
The series, which comprises eight 45-minute episodes, is set in the near future, at a time when humanity’s survival rests on a new generation of elite pilots.

— Leo Barraclough, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of rests

Verb

Both brands offer a telematics safe driving program, which tracks your driving and bases your rate on factors like your braking, acceleration, speed and driving time.

— Liz Knueven, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2026
This makes Kansas one of the few states that bases the requirement on payroll dollars rather than employee count.

— Gretchen Wittenmyer-Stone, Kansas City Star, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of bases

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underlie

underlies

underline

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

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Synonyms of underlies

verb

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