1
as in to overlap
to lie over parts of one another
the puzzle pieces overlay one another in complete disarray on the floor
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in to coat
to form a layer over
there will be freezing rain tonight, so we can expect to find a thick layer of ice overlying the car windshield in the morning
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of overlie
That’s relevant for digging through the Earth because when a hole is dug or drilled, the walls along the sides of the hole are under tremendous pressure from the overlying rock and also unstable because there’s empty space next to them.
—
Andrew Gase, Discover Magazine, 30 Nov. 2024
When the stone near the surface can no longer support the weight of overlying soil or a roadbed, the ground collapses and a sinkhole appears.
—Mary Ann Ashcraft, Baltimore Sun, 23 Nov. 2024
As the fabric does so, an ordered network of minuscule cracks open and close in the overlying graphene layer.
—Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 17 Sep. 2024
As a result, the top few inches of soil or rock heat up rapidly over the course of a day, and in turn warm the overlying air.
—Ned Kleiner, Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2024
See All Example Sentences for overlie
Andrew Gase, Discover Magazine, 30 Nov. 2024
When the stone near the surface can no longer support the weight of overlying soil or a roadbed, the ground collapses and a sinkhole appears.
—Mary Ann Ashcraft, Baltimore Sun, 23 Nov. 2024
As the fabric does so, an ordered network of minuscule cracks open and close in the overlying graphene layer.
—Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 17 Sep. 2024
As a result, the top few inches of soil or rock heat up rapidly over the course of a day, and in turn warm the overlying air.
—Ned Kleiner, Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2024
See All Example Sentences for overlie
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overlie
Verb
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The overlapping strikes could affect operations at hospitals and clinics as well as research on a wide array of medical, climate and other issues.—
Suhauna Hussain,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Feb. 2025
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Clearly, Rashford and Bailey want the width while Rogers and Ramsey are wanting the inside channels, allowing overlapping fullbacks to provide width.—
Ahmed Walid,
The Athletic,
23 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Snow can quickly coat the ground and make for slippery travel, especially on bridges and overpasses.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
20 Feb. 2025
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Snow and ice coated the tarmac, and powerful, blustery winds could be seen on video.—
Emily Mae Czachor,
CBS News,
19 Feb. 2025
Verb
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He’s worked at the paper for nearly 20 years, covering real estate, tourism and the economy before joining the Metro desk in 2014.—
Douglas Hanks,
Miami Herald,
20 Feb. 2025
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Kaye previously covered the entire NFL for Pro Football Network, the Philadelphia Eagles for NJ Advance Media and the Jacksonville Jaguars for First Coast News.—
Mike Kaye,
Charlotte Observer,
20 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Overlie.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overlie. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.
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