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
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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
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
As a result, the top few inches of soil or rock heat up rapidly over the course of a day, and in turn warm the overlying air.
—Ned Kleiner, Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2024
See All Example Sentences for overlie
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
As a result, the top few inches of soil or rock heat up rapidly over the course of a day, and in turn warm the overlying air.
—Ned Kleiner, Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 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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Her tenure on the show overlapped with Ripa, who portrayed Hayley Vaughan Santos beginning in 1990, and with Consuelos, who appeared as Mateo Santos on the show starting in 1995.—
Wesley Stenzel,
EW.com,
7 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Similar to brands like Stanley and Yeti, Hydro Flask water bottles are vacuum insulated and made from stainless steel that’s coated in a host of eye-catching colors.—
Clint Davis,
People.com,
4 Mar. 2025
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The middle portion of the dress, which stretched from her left bust to her right leg, was coated in yellow and white rhinestones.—
Hannah Jackson,
Vogue,
4 Mar. 2025
Verb
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My favorite of all is Peter Stormare as Lucifer himself, floating down in a white suit and bare feet covered in tar like some infernal version of a southern roué whose eyebrows were seared off by the flames of hell.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
4 Mar. 2025
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Miami Herald 305-376-3619 Miami Herald consumer trends reporter Howard Cohen, a 2017 Media Excellence Awards winner, has covered pop music, theater, health and fitness, obituaries, municipal government, breaking news and general assignment.—
Howard Cohen,
Miami Herald,
4 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Overlie.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overlie. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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