UNDERLAY Synonyms: 45 Similar and Opposite Words

underlay

verb

Definition of underlay

past tense of underlie

as in supported

to lie underneath A layer of rock underlies the topsoil.

Related Words

Relevance

as in grounded

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 underlay Judge Ruiz ruled Thursday that the second vote cured the problems that underlay her initial block on the deed transfer. — Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 18 Dec. 2025 Once the human in the loop selects the option the team prefers, the systems can assign tasks to agents that underlay SAP’s assistant. — Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 17 Oct. 2025 This conviction underlay the Victorian workhouses in 19th-century England that Charles Dickens critiqued through his novels. — Colin Gordon, The Conversation, 29 May 2025 There was another story that underlay the peace negotiations, and that was the story of the love between Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter. — Lawrence Wright, The New Yorker, 29 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for underlay

Recent Examples of Synonyms for underlay

Verb

The festival is supported by the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA).

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026
The European Research Council supported the research through the H2Bro project, following Rothschild’s ERC Advanced Grant awarded in 2023.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of supported

Verb

The storm grounded most Friday flights at several panhandle airports, including all flights into and out of Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Oct. 2026
Clark deserves considerable credit for keeping these escalating absurdities grounded.

— Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of grounded

Verb

The Republican administration says the 4th Circuit decision conflicts with rulings by at least three other circuits and, if upheld, will hamper the government's ability to deport immigrants with terrorism ties in many other cases.

— ABC News, ABC News, 13 Oct. 2026
That decision, upheld on appeal, put the onus on the Continuum of Care, an amorphous entity with a board and open membership that had long functioned as an appendage of LAHSA but actually had the statutory power to hire or fire the agency.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of upheld

Verb

Other networks have been established for working fathers, LGBTQ+ employees, and early-career staff, which were established to give younger employees a greater say in their career development and opportunities to communicate with leadership.

— Sam Birchall, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026
Deadline has established that several top producers have declined to throw their hat into the ring, with many citing concerns about the lack of rights and the production contract sucking creative energy away from other projects.

— Max Goldbart, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of established

Verb

Smythson also collaborated with multidisciplinary studio Fung + Bedford, which created a large-scale installation suspended from the ceiling that’s based on origami designs.

— Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2026
Similar to the Apple Watch, the HomeView also has a variety of different faces for displaying information based on the users’ preferences, like calendars, photos and weather data.

— Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of based

Verb

Warkya said her first experience of police custody only reinforced her determination to protest but also taught her to run when officers appear.

— ABC News, ABC News, 8 Oct. 2026
Bodily strength, operating as a team rather than as individuals, and instinctively following instructions from a coach or the calls of an umpire—these characteristics reinforced qualities MacArthur wanted in his men.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of reinforced

Browse Nearby Words

underlain

underlay

underlie

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Underlay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underlay. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of underlay

verb

Example Sentences

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