1
as in supports
to lie underneath
A layer of rock underlies the topsoil.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in grounds
to form the basis or foundation of (something, such as an idea)
The assumption that underlies their argument is faulty.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples 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
Either way, an involuntary act, unlike the struggle to be, to exist, that underlies the need to write.
—
Louise Glück, The New Yorker, 4 Jan. 2025
The goal was to figure out whether training in the cold would boost mitochondria levels, which is one of the key adaptations that underlies aerobic fitness.
—Alex Hutchinson, Outside Online, 17 Dec. 2024
This basic setup underlies transformers in a wide range of sizes.
—IEEE Spectrum, 11 Dec. 2024
This tradition underlies the state Xi inherits today, which has many religions, some of them even growing dynamically, but no religious freedom.
—Ian Johnson, Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2019
This philosophy underlies Sand-Catcher, Omar Khalifah’s sharp, darkly funny debut novel, translated from Arabic by Barbara Romaine.
—Bekah Waalkes, The Atlantic, 5 Dec. 2024
The sound of typing underlies it all.
—Ayad Akhtar, The Atlantic, 4 Dec. 2024
And so is the deep human instinct that underlies such rituals.
—Michael Morris, TIME, 27 Nov. 2024
Workaholism stems from the Protestant work ethic that underlies the American culture.
—Lieke Ten Brummelhuis, Forbes, 2 Oct. 2024
Louise Glück, The New Yorker, 4 Jan. 2025
The goal was to figure out whether training in the cold would boost mitochondria levels, which is one of the key adaptations that underlies aerobic fitness.
—Alex Hutchinson, Outside Online, 17 Dec. 2024
This basic setup underlies transformers in a wide range of sizes.
—IEEE Spectrum, 11 Dec. 2024
This tradition underlies the state Xi inherits today, which has many religions, some of them even growing dynamically, but no religious freedom.
—Ian Johnson, Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2019
This philosophy underlies Sand-Catcher, Omar Khalifah’s sharp, darkly funny debut novel, translated from Arabic by Barbara Romaine.
—Bekah Waalkes, The Atlantic, 5 Dec. 2024
The sound of typing underlies it all.
—Ayad Akhtar, The Atlantic, 4 Dec. 2024
And so is the deep human instinct that underlies such rituals.
—Michael Morris, TIME, 27 Nov. 2024
Workaholism stems from the Protestant work ethic that underlies the American culture.
—Lieke Ten Brummelhuis, Forbes, 2 Oct. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underlies
Verb
-
But for people living with chronic pain, experts agreed this research supports the idea that healthy eating could be a tool for some relief.Brian Mastroianni, Health, 3 Jan. 2025
-
Such emerging opportunities can also be applied to cost benchmarking, scope-of-work planning and management, client-agency performance evaluations and many other key marketing functions that procurement supports.Bruno Gralpois, Forbes, 3 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Society establishes a tax that if AI does the right thing, it is taxed lightly.Lance Eliot, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
-
Moore signed the order, which establishes multiple initiatives seeking to make the state more friendly to business development, at a Friday ceremony in downtown Frederick, against the backdrop of an ongoing hotel and conference center project.Dan Belson, Baltimore Sun, 23 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Covering such varied stories reinforces the importance of empathy and understanding in storytelling.Austin American-Statesman, Austin American-Statesman, 23 Dec. 2024
-
This approach ensures that the podcast reinforces the company's core values and mission in a way that resonates with employees.Fatima Zaidi, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Located 50 minutes away from Rome and perched on ancient hilltops that are 700 meters above sea level, the property rests on eight hectares of land.Bianca Salonga, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
-
The Role of Leadership in Cybersecurity In today’s business environment, the responsibility for cybersecurity rests squarely with leadership.Andrew Hay, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near underlies
Cite this Entry
“Underlies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underlies. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share