1
as in overlapping
to lie over parts of one another
the puzzle pieces overlay one another in complete disarray on the floor
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in coating
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
as in overlaying
Related Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of overlying
Emma R. Hasson, Scientific American, 17 Aug. 2025
Noun
Earth’s substantial atmosphere and geomagnetic field block most (but not all) of this bombardment, and the sunless interiors of worlds without these properties still get protection from overlying material.
—Emma R. Hasson, Scientific American, 17 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overlying
Verb
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Other conservative groups had overlapping missions on college campuses, but Kirk’s drive and debating skills quickly grew the footprint of TPUSA.—
David Weigel,
semafor.com,
10 Sep. 2025
-
When team members travel from out of town, coordinate overlapping schedules to maximize face time.—
Sonali Bloom,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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These lengthening formulas prioritize coating each lash sleekly, with no bumps or lumps of product.—
Alanna Martine Kilkeary,
Glamour,
5 Sep. 2025
-
There is little sugar-coating how Swayman’s season went last year.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Welcome to Path to Playoff, the USA TODAY Sports newsletter covering all things college football and the chase for this year's national championship.—
Erick Smith,
USA Today,
8 Sep. 2025
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While the negative human-health effects of smoke from the Glass Fire have been well documented, the toxic brown blanket covering the Napa Valley is also devastating bee populations, said local beekeeper John Sevigny.—
Ethan Baron,
Mercury News,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Other new features include Luma Key, a filter video based on brightness values that removes black backgrounds from input sources and is suitable for overlaying lower thirds, titles, logos and animations.—
Mark Sparrow,
Forbes.com,
25 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Overlying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overlying. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
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