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.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of underlie
In Catchings’ neighborhood, where some residents were avoiding gatherings this weekend, the escape has resurfaced underlying concerns about crime and a jail that has faced staffing shortages and overcrowding.
—
Chris Kenning, USA Today, 25 May 2025
However, his underlying numbers are mostly hovering around his career averages, with the exception of his bat speed, which appears to be slower than it’s been in recent seasons, down about two ticks to 73.4 MPH, from 75.4 MPH last year.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 23 May 2025
When viewing his underlying data at Fangraphs, there are no discernible differences in his contact rates allowed or swinging strike percentage.
—Greg Jewett, New York Times, 22 May 2025
Meanwhile, the underlying infrastructure—spanning containers, orchestration layers and APIs—must be fortified to withstand new classes of threats.
—Anuj Tyagi, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for underlie
Chris Kenning, USA Today, 25 May 2025
However, his underlying numbers are mostly hovering around his career averages, with the exception of his bat speed, which appears to be slower than it’s been in recent seasons, down about two ticks to 73.4 MPH, from 75.4 MPH last year.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 23 May 2025
When viewing his underlying data at Fangraphs, there are no discernible differences in his contact rates allowed or swinging strike percentage.
—Greg Jewett, New York Times, 22 May 2025
Meanwhile, the underlying infrastructure—spanning containers, orchestration layers and APIs—must be fortified to withstand new classes of threats.
—Anuj Tyagi, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for underlie
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underlie
Verb
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Arafat would similarly reject peace with Israel, support terrorism, and murder rivals and critics.—
Sean Durns,
The Washington Examiner,
6 June 2025
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The unit supports multiplayer modes with two gun connectors, essential for Point Blank.—
Matt Gardner,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
Verb
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In spite of his ability to carry the ball forward — a point of difference from his fellow midfielders — Willock has never quite established himself as integral, at least in part because of his struggles with injury.—
Chris Waugh,
New York Times,
6 June 2025
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The science transparency rule in the first Trump administration was intended to limit the EPA’s ability to consider epidemiologic studies like those that established the health harms from exposure to secondhand smoke and to PM2.5, fine particles often from pollution.—
H. Christopher Frey,
The Conversation,
5 June 2025
Verb
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Scheffler, meanwhile, steadied his game and started looking as inevitable as seeing another pair of khaki shorts at Quail Hollow.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
19 May 2025
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Smith hopes to steady Maryland athletics during a turbulent time in College Park and elsewhere across college sports.—
Taylor Lyons,
Baltimore Sun,
15 May 2025
Verb
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Around the stage, steam engines, museums and 19th-century storefronts grounded attendees in the capital’s history as White’s quartet took them on a journey through jazz.—
Cathie Anderson,
Sacbee.com,
25 May 2025
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Judge’s league-leading 18th home run came after Trent Grisham grounded into a double play.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
24 May 2025
Verb
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There is a fundamental truth here that must be upheld.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
30 May 2025
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However, the president fumed at foreign leaders on Friday for failing to uphold their end of the deal.—
Ashleigh Fields,
The Hill,
30 May 2025
Verb
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As the fireline is constructed, inspected or reinforced, mappers record those details to adjust the containment percentage.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
6 June 2025
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The company’s shares have risen more than 7% this week as Meta’s deal to buy nuclear power from Constellation Energy has reinforced the view that demand is increasing as the tech sector hunts for electricity for its data centers.—
Spencer Kimball,
CNBC,
6 June 2025
Verb
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Grand theft is a felony that can carry a prison sentence of up to 14 years.—
Ashley Fredde,
Idaho Statesman,
30 May 2025
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Flair built his reputation on limousine rides and midnight blade jobs, Bruno Sammartino carried the belt like a civic honor, and Steve Austin smashed beers on his head and then drank them on the top rope.—
Oliver Bateman,
The Washington Examiner,
30 May 2025
Verb
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Because delivering the digital infrastructure that underpins a smart city isn’t a short-term task.—
Brendan O’Reilly,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
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And that means that vibe coding — as with any technology that suddenly shifts a good from scarcity to plenty — has the potential to upturn much of the core calculus, thinking and economics that underpin how and what companies currently do and build.—
Gina Chua,
semafor.com,
5 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Underlie.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underlie. Accessed 9 Jun. 2025.
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