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
Relevance
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
This month, the researchers will return to Waesche, looking for more rocks that could confirm whether the loss of overlying ice caused Waesche to wake up.
—
Bypaul Voosen, science.org, 3 Dec. 2024
Planetary scientists count craters, for instance, the logic being that older features will be covered in more craters than younger features will, while younger features will overlie or cut across more pre-existing craters than older features do.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 3 Feb. 2025
In turn, carbon dioxide ice in the bottom layer turns into gas, which builds up and eventually breaks through overlying ice up to 3.3 feet (1 meter) thick, according to a statement from ESA.
—Space.com Staff, Space.com, 1 Jan. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for overlie
Bypaul Voosen, science.org, 3 Dec. 2024
Planetary scientists count craters, for instance, the logic being that older features will be covered in more craters than younger features will, while younger features will overlie or cut across more pre-existing craters than older features do.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 3 Feb. 2025
In turn, carbon dioxide ice in the bottom layer turns into gas, which builds up and eventually breaks through overlying ice up to 3.3 feet (1 meter) thick, according to a statement from ESA.
—Space.com Staff, Space.com, 1 Jan. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for overlie
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overlie
Verb
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Dire wolves did overlap with early humans at the end of the Ice Age, around 11,500 years ago, but humans had barely invented agriculture at that point, let alone begun building the cities and interstate highways that would encroach upon the natural world.—
Andrea Marks,
Rolling Stone,
12 Apr. 2025
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As a result, grass pollen increasingly overlaps with the ragweed pollen season, which itself has been extended by more than three weeks in some parts of the country since 1995.—
Umair Irfan,
Wired News,
5 Apr. 2025
Verb
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How to Preserve Flowers with Beeswax The hack itself is simple—just melt some beeswax into a bowl or jar, grab a single flower of your choice, and dip it straight in until it's fully coated.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 Apr. 2025
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Not to mention, it’s also constructed with durable stoneware and coated in a nonporous enamel glaze that is stain- and scratch-resistant, too.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
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More: Obamacare covers cancer screening and cholesterol meds.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
22 Apr. 2025
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Jessie also covers lifestyle topics for various publications, including PEOPLE, StyleCaster, Apartment Therapy, USA Today and Glamour.—
Bianca Lambert,
Glamour,
21 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Overlie.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overlie. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
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