Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Definitions

underlie

[uhn-der-lahy] / ˌʌn dərˈlaɪ /


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In sum, a hard math problem in the 19th century propelled the conceptual breakthroughs that underlie all the location services on our phones today.

From Slate • Jun. 22, 2026

“The paintings are about the smoldering tensions that underlie the American dream, so I think it’s a particularly apt moment to bring them back into the public eye.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 9, 2026

"A similar mechanism could underlie individual differences in responses to other rewarding stimuli," says author and neuroscientist Josep Marco-Pallarés of the University of Barcelona.

From Science Daily • Jan. 12, 2026

Talk to some folks in your family whom you trust to make sure you’re not overstepping any unspoken boundaries that underlie family relationships.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 15, 2025

In particular, we know the basic laws that underlie all of chemistry and biology.

From "A Brief History of Time: And Other Essays" by Stephen Hawking




Vocabulary lists containing underlie


Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Look it up. Learn it forever.

Remember "underlie" for good with VocabTrainer. Expand your vocabulary effortlessly with personalized learning tools that adapt to your goals.

Take me to Vocabulary.com