Definitions

underlying

[uhn-der-lahy-ing] / ˈʌn dərˌlaɪ ɪŋ /

ADJECTIVE

fundamental, latent

Synonyms

STRONGEST

basic elemental hidden

STRONG

bottom concealed lurking prime root veiled

WEAK

basal bottom-line cardinal critical crucial elementary essential indispensable intrinsic necessary needful nitty-gritty nub primary primitive radical substratal vital

Antonyms

WEAK

secondary

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.

The underlying numbers behind it were even more extraordinary.

From BBC • May 25, 2026

The main difference is that people could easily look inside Muybridge’s machine to see the photographs underlying his movie.

From Slate • May 25, 2026

Huang said she would also invest more heavily in addressing the city’s lack of affordable housing, which she said is an underlying cause of crime and homelessness.

From Los Angeles Times • May 24, 2026

During his April 21 confirmation hearing, Warsh emphasized the importance of focusing on underlying inflation rather than one-time price changes.

From MarketWatch • May 22, 2026

Somewhere, underlying all the other signals, is a continual music.

From "The Lives of a Cell" by Lewis Thomas

Vocabulary lists containing underlying

Outcasts United

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High Spirits

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Most Dangerous

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