1
2
as in to establish
to form the basis or foundation of (something, such as an idea)
The assumption that underlies their argument is faulty.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of underlie
On the other hand, the penalty for harboring or aiding a felon can vary, depending on the severity of the underlying felony committed by the person being aided.
—
Chris Ramirez, jsonline.com, 9 July 2025
Neither of the children had underlying health conditions, the Texas health department said.
—Nicole Brown Chau, CBS News, 9 July 2025
Heat has a particularly pernicious impact on people with underlying health conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes and respiratory problems.
—Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 9 July 2025
The inference here is that this doesn’t change who is actually buying and holding the US Treasuries, the big banks in this case, but rather, this shifts the underlying deposit bases of the banks.
—Steven Dudash, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for underlie
Chris Ramirez, jsonline.com, 9 July 2025
Neither of the children had underlying health conditions, the Texas health department said.
—Nicole Brown Chau, CBS News, 9 July 2025
Heat has a particularly pernicious impact on people with underlying health conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes and respiratory problems.
—Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 9 July 2025
The inference here is that this doesn’t change who is actually buying and holding the US Treasuries, the big banks in this case, but rather, this shifts the underlying deposit bases of the banks.
—Steven Dudash, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for underlie
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underlie
Verb
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Please consider supporting local journalism and getting unlimited digital access.—
Leah Olajide,
Freep.com,
25 July 2025
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Most people need much more protein to support overall health.—
Jillian Kubala,
Health,
24 July 2025
Verb
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The plan is the department's effort to establish a clear vision while seeking community input to create a roadmap for the department over the next five years.—
Jade Jackson,
IndyStar,
24 July 2025
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Set your mower blade height at 3 inches and establish a mowing schedule that removes only about one-third of the grass blades each session.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
23 July 2025
Verb
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To steady the ship, Kakao’s board enlisted Chung as CEO last year.—
John Kang,
Forbes.com,
3 July 2025
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Foley was in constant contact offering advice and steadying any nerves.—
Greg O'Keeffe,
New York Times,
21 June 2025
Verb
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The actor appeared to have been trying to ground himself, while Kirby, who has also been filmed initiating some of the physical contact herself, has only spoken positively about Pascal and has not indicated any discomfort with his actions.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 July 2025
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These activities not only provide the benefits of solitude but also help in grounding you in the present moment, further relaxing the brain.—
Joseph Jebelli,
CNBC,
23 July 2025
Verb
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Those partners worked toward alignment, data sharing, co-funding of field programs and upholding rigorous standards for the organic cotton industry.—
Jennifer Bringle,
Sourcing Journal,
14 July 2025
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One expert believes the legal argument should shift from upholding the rights of individual Native people to upholding tribal rights to their religions.—
Debra Utacia Krol,
AZCentral.com,
13 July 2025
Verb
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The current American administration, though, is the first to reinforce those ambitions, rather than curtail them.—
Yair Rosenberg,
The Atlantic,
24 July 2025
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Sadly, these actions only reinforce speculation (or fact) about underlying motives.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
24 July 2025
Verb
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Prod: Andrés Jaime Santamaría) David Rodríguez, a Colombian police captain, goes undercover in a brutal jail to discover a sect which carries our ritual sacrifices in worship of a supernatural god.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
15 July 2025
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Her election would also carry symbolic weight as Grijalva would be the first Latina to represent Arizona in Congress.—
Brittany Shepherd,
ABC News,
15 July 2025
Verb
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The Trump administration wants to overturn a key 2009 Environmental Protection Agency finding that underpins much of the federal government's actions to rein in climate change.—
Jeff Brady,
NPR,
24 July 2025
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What makes these emerging threats particularly severe is their direct assault on the critical infrastructure and services that underpin public safety.—
Dara Warn,
Forbes.com,
23 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Underlie.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underlie. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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