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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of overlie
Planetary scientists count craters, for instance, the logic being that older features will be covered in more craters than younger features will, while younger features will overlie or cut across more pre-existing craters than older features do.
—
Keith Cooper, Space.com, 3 Feb. 2025
The rich volcanic soil overlying the limestone has been fertile for centuries.
—Chi Varnado, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Nov. 2024
The rock slab located at the high school was also originally from the Callide Mine, which is an open-cut mine, meaning that the overlying rock is removed to get to the coal underneath, Romilio explained.
—Taylor Nicioli, CNN, 21 Mar. 2025
Land in San Rafael, Corte Madera, Foster City and Bay Farm Island in the San Francisco Bay Area was found to be subsiding at more than 0.4 inches per year, primarily due to sediment compaction—when loose particles are pressed together under the weight of overlying layers.
—Mark Joseph, Newsweek, 24 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overlie
Keith Cooper, Space.com, 3 Feb. 2025
The rich volcanic soil overlying the limestone has been fertile for centuries.
—Chi Varnado, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Nov. 2024
The rock slab located at the high school was also originally from the Callide Mine, which is an open-cut mine, meaning that the overlying rock is removed to get to the coal underneath, Romilio explained.
—Taylor Nicioli, CNN, 21 Mar. 2025
Land in San Rafael, Corte Madera, Foster City and Bay Farm Island in the San Francisco Bay Area was found to be subsiding at more than 0.4 inches per year, primarily due to sediment compaction—when loose particles are pressed together under the weight of overlying layers.
—Mark Joseph, Newsweek, 24 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overlie
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overlie
Verb
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What to Know The NWS flash flood warnings for San Bernardino County will last through Friday afternoon, with meteorologists issuing several overlapping advisories as storms moved through the region.—
Anna Skinner,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 July 2025
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The overlapping steel wall sheets are waterproof and have slatted vertical lines that make for another sleek touch.—
Clint Davis,
People.com,
17 July 2025
Verb
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Except there’s a mystery, wrapped in an enigma, and coated in a puzzle.—
Irina Ivanova,
Fortune,
13 July 2025
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Chicken and waffles are also popular, and one waffle menu item comes coated in Fruity Pebbles breakfast cereal.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
11 July 2025
Verb
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And when the stock goes up, hedge funds have to pay money to cover their shorts or could sell their position.—
Ricardo Torres,
jsonline.com,
26 July 2025
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Add oil and 1/4 cup of the chicken broth; cover and cook over medium for 6 minutes if using chicken breasts, or 8 minutes if using thighs, stirring once halfway through (chicken will not be fully cooked).—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
26 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Overlie.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overlie. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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