underlying
adjective
un·der·ly·ing
ˌən-dər-ˈlī-iŋ 
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
Examples of underlying in a Sentence
the ocean and the underlying rock
the underlying differences between democracy and dictatorship
Recent Examples on the Web
Last month, Texas announced the outbreak’s first death, a school-age child who was not vaccinated and had no underlying conditions.
—
Neha Mukherjee, CNN, 21 Mar. 2025
This multi-faceted approach addresses both immediate needs and underlying causes of homelessness.
—Courier-News, Chicago Tribune, 20 Mar. 2025
Not officially, of course: in keeping with the underlying mission of the IOC, Bach would never do something as openly partisan as endorsing a successor.
—Blythe Lawrence, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
Scientists from the University of Warsaw have gleaned insights into the underlying physics of channeling that will help coffee lovers achieve more consistent results when brewing espresso.
—Ars Technica, 17 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for underlying
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Neha Mukherjee, CNN, 21 Mar. 2025
This multi-faceted approach addresses both immediate needs and underlying causes of homelessness.
—Courier-News, Chicago Tribune, 20 Mar. 2025
Not officially, of course: in keeping with the underlying mission of the IOC, Bach would never do something as openly partisan as endorsing a successor.
—Blythe Lawrence, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
Scientists from the University of Warsaw have gleaned insights into the underlying physics of channeling that will help coffee lovers achieve more consistent results when brewing espresso.
—Ars Technica, 17 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for underlying
Cite this Entry
“Underlying.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underlying. Accessed 27 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
underlying
adjective
un·der·ly·ing
ˌən-dər-ˌlī-iŋ
1
: lying under or below
the underlying rock
Medical Definition
underlying
adjective
un·der·ly·ing
-ˌlī-iŋ
: serving as a basis or cause (as of secondary symptoms)
the underlying brain malformation that caused the hydrocephalus—R. M. Henig
R. M. HenigLove words? Need even more definitions?
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