1
as in to coat
to form a layer over
you should apply a coat of primer first, and then overlay it with two coats of paint
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in to overlap
to lie over parts of one another
cedar shingles overlaying one another on the roof
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 overlay
The song overlays clips of Belly and Jeremiah cruising in the summer sun, kissing in the library, and slow dancing under purple lights.
—
Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 24 Apr. 2025
The floor-length frock was overlaid with a bewitching black and yellow patchwork print.
—Edward Segarra, USA TODAY, 5 Mar. 2025
The dark shadow overlaid on a starry background is known as the Circinus West molecular cloud.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 28 Apr. 2025
Designers are playing with proportions and adding volume to the region with cage-like boning, padded interiors, and tulle overlays.
—Shelby Wax, Vogue, 28 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overlay
Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 24 Apr. 2025
The floor-length frock was overlaid with a bewitching black and yellow patchwork print.
—Edward Segarra, USA TODAY, 5 Mar. 2025
The dark shadow overlaid on a starry background is known as the Circinus West molecular cloud.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 28 Apr. 2025
Designers are playing with proportions and adding volume to the region with cage-like boning, padded interiors, and tulle overlays.
—Shelby Wax, Vogue, 28 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overlay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overlay
Verb
-
Transfer to a large bowl coated with cooking spray.—
Marianne Williams,
Southern Living,
26 May 2025
-
Sunflower seed shells are often coated in salt for taste and flavor, sometimes as much as 70 mg for every 1 ounce of seeds.14 The American Heart Association suggests consuming no more than 1,500 grams of sodium per day, although Dietary Guidelines allow for up to 2,300 milligrams per day.15 2.—
Cristina Mutchler,
Verywell Health,
23 May 2025
Verb
-
Huizenga and Duffy have a prior relationship from overlapping time in Congress and serving together on the Financial Services Committee.—
Marisa Schultz,
The Washington Examiner,
31 May 2025
-
Instead of just going blank, After Dark screensavers showed animations: flying toasters, or falling rain, or overlapping curved lines in neon gradients.—
Chris Stirewalt,
The Hill,
30 May 2025
Verb
-
Matt previously spent several years covering Palace matches for the South London Press and contributing to other publications as a freelance writer.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
28 May 2025
-
Lopez also wore a royal blue strapless gown with exaggerated hips that was covered in sequins.—
Rachel Flynn,
People.com,
27 May 2025
Verb
-
However, a more rounded spout may tend to drip or sheet out the liquid in a wider stream than expected.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Apr. 2025
-
But Maduro’s numbers have been widely discredited by both domestic and international observers, based on both polling prior to the election and tally sheets the opposition was able to recover from voting machines before Maduro’s forces shut down the count.—
Rafael Bernal,
The Hill,
9 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Overlay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overlay. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share