UNDERLIES Synonyms: 44 Similar and Opposite Words

underlies

verb

present tense third-person singular of underlie

as in supports

to lie underneath A layer of rock underlies the topsoil.

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as in grounds

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

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 The same philosophy underlies a series of larger reforms already underway. — Bethany Mandel, The Washington Examiner, 16 Aug. 2026 Water in hot springs can cause severe or fatal burns, and scalding water underlies most of the thin, breakable crust around hot springs. — Eve Chen, USA Today, 21 July 2026 The impulse that underlies the rise of passion projects is a correct one—admissions officers at top schools want to admit students who are creative and driven, self-motivated and passionate about using their skills to benefit their communities. — Christopher Rim, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026 This approach underlies the security of cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum and, with RSA, helps secure modern internet traffic. — IEEE Spectrum, 7 July 2026 And that’s the question that underlies much of what’s onscreen in this perplexing, entertaining, frustrating picture. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 1 July 2026 But in making their arguments, the authors went further, addressing fundamental questions of politics by laying out the political theory that underlies that Constitution. — Jordan Cash, The Conversation, 8 June 2026 Training, both stressed, underlies all of it. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 1 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for underlies

Verb

Sleep is when the brain consolidates memory, recalibrates stress and immune signaling and supports other restorative processes.

— Renée Onque, CNBC, 22 Aug. 2026
Our Kids’ Climate (OKC) supports parents, grandparents and caregivers in over 50 countries to take action to protect children from the impact of the climate crisis.

— Catarina Rolfsdotter-Jansson, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of supports

Verb

Anti Bast grounds saffron and warm cardamom (a fall spice rack classic) with incense absolute and amber, creating a warm, spicy scent ideal for cooler weather.

— Loren Savini, Allure, 22 Aug. 2026
For the owners, the ability to feel the energy of the artist in the material is what grounds the hotel in its surroundings.

— Madeleine Kashkooli, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of grounds

Verb

The iterative design updates provide a hardware and pricing baseline that establishes the market’s baseline without threatening hardware partners such as Samsung.

— Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
That's because the statute of limitations establishes how long a creditor or debt collector can generally sue you to collect a debt.

— Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of establishes

Verb

Böker reinforces the scales at the tool's ends with nickel-silver bolsters.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 18 Aug. 2026
The handling of the Epstein files by Republicans reinforces the observation of ordinary Americans that wealthy and well-connected one-percenters have been and continue to be treated differently from ordinary citizens.

— Tom Zirpoli, Baltimore Sun, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of reinforces

Verb

Last year, the park said the plane now rests at shallower depths that do not require technical dive expertise.

— Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
Its sustainability case, if any, therefore rests for now on the unverified prospect that a durable, multipurpose outsole could extend shoe use or reduce the need for terrain-specific footwear.

— Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of rests

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underlie

underlies

underline

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“Underlies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underlies. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of underlies

verb

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