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
In this manner, the patterning is more robust and incorporates that what is asked and what is answered are related to the underlying logic that was employed.
—
Lance Eliot, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
Treasuries have been around for a long time, but their underlying purpose is debatable at best.
—Dp Opinion, The Denver Post, 10 Mar. 2025
In some cases, a person may have been susceptible to developing lung fibrosis due to an underlying condition and the COVID-19 infection may accelerate the fibrotic progression.
—Amy McGorry, Fox News, 8 Mar. 2025
Last month, Texas announced the outbreak’s first death, a school-age child who was not vaccinated, had no underlying conditions and had been hospitalized.
—Neha Mukherjee, CNN, 7 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for underlying
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Lance Eliot, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
Treasuries have been around for a long time, but their underlying purpose is debatable at best.
—Dp Opinion, The Denver Post, 10 Mar. 2025
In some cases, a person may have been susceptible to developing lung fibrosis due to an underlying condition and the COVID-19 infection may accelerate the fibrotic progression.
—Amy McGorry, Fox News, 8 Mar. 2025
Last month, Texas announced the outbreak’s first death, a school-age child who was not vaccinated, had no underlying conditions and had been hospitalized.
—Neha Mukherjee, CNN, 7 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 13 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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