1
as in to overlap
to lie over parts of one another
the puzzle pieces overlay one another in complete disarray on the floor
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in to coat
to form a layer over
there will be freezing rain tonight, so we can expect to find a thick layer of ice overlying the car windshield in the morning
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of overlie
In turn, carbon dioxide ice in the bottom layer turns into gas, which builds up and eventually breaks through overlying ice up to 3.3 feet (1 meter) thick, according to a statement from ESA.
—
Space.com Staff, Space.com, 1 Jan. 2025
That’s relevant for digging through the Earth because when a hole is dug or drilled, the walls along the sides of the hole are under tremendous pressure from the overlying rock and also unstable because there’s empty space next to them.
—Andrew Gase, Discover Magazine, 30 Nov. 2024
When the stone near the surface can no longer support the weight of overlying soil or a roadbed, the ground collapses and a sinkhole appears.
—Mary Ann Ashcraft, Baltimore Sun, 23 Nov. 2024
As the fabric does so, an ordered network of minuscule cracks open and close in the overlying graphene layer.
—Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 17 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for overlie
Space.com Staff, Space.com, 1 Jan. 2025
That’s relevant for digging through the Earth because when a hole is dug or drilled, the walls along the sides of the hole are under tremendous pressure from the overlying rock and also unstable because there’s empty space next to them.
—Andrew Gase, Discover Magazine, 30 Nov. 2024
When the stone near the surface can no longer support the weight of overlying soil or a roadbed, the ground collapses and a sinkhole appears.
—Mary Ann Ashcraft, Baltimore Sun, 23 Nov. 2024
As the fabric does so, an ordered network of minuscule cracks open and close in the overlying graphene layer.
—Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 17 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for overlie
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overlie
Verb
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Most of Spillane's strengths overlap with current inside linebacker Ja'Whaun Bentley, who's slow-footed compared to his new teammate but otherwise impacts the game in similar ways.—
Doug Kyed,
Boston Herald,
10 Mar. 2025
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Wreck 5 was built using a method known as caravel planking, where planks are placed end to end without overlapping, archaeologist and project leader Håkan Altrock said in the release.—
Aspen Pflughoeft,
Miami Herald,
7 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Stir in drained pasta, basil, and lemon zest until coated, adding the remaining 1/4 cup cooking water (about 1 tablespoon at a time) to loosen sauce as needed.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
17 Mar. 2025
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Cover with nonstick foil or foil coated in nonstick spray.—
Sarah Martens,
Better Homes & Gardens,
15 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Furthermore, not all insurance companies cover the testing.—
Ellen Matloff,
Forbes,
17 Mar. 2025
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If reaching a safe shelter is not possible, either crouch down in your car and cover your head, or leave your vehicle and seek refuge in a low-lying area like a ditch or ravine.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
16 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Overlie.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overlie. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.
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