underlying
adjective
un·der·ly·ing
ˌən-dər-ˈlī-iŋ 
1
a
: lying beneath or below
the underlying rock is shale
b
: basic, fundamental
an investigation of the underlying issues
2
: evident only on close inspection : implicit
3
: anterior and prior in claim
underlying mortgage
4
: of or being present in deep structure
underlying word order
Synonyms
Examples of underlying in a Sentence
the ocean and the underlying rock
the underlying differences between democracy and dictatorship
Recent Examples on the Web
The underlying measure that strips out such volatile items may provide reassurance to officials that the direction of travel is still downward, though national numbers will probably reveal some divergence.
—
Reade Pickert, Fortune, 27 Apr. 2024
More advocacy and support Some people with HS have underlying socioeconomic barriers that prevent them from getting care, Dr. Sokumbi points out.
—Tatiana Walk-Morris, SELF, 26 Apr. 2024
Finally, the team reproduce the same results with another social network called Gowalla, suggesting that both networks reflect the same underlying pattern.
—The Physics Arxiv Blog, Discover Magazine, 26 Apr. 2024
This conference will examine the issue of trauma as an underlying cause of gun violence in Black, Hispanic and vulnerable communities.
—Gail Mitchell, Billboard, 25 Apr. 2024
But other negative soundings point to an underlying tension between locals and the Venetian government over what is being done to ensure residents can continue to live there.
—Ryan Hogg, Fortune Europe, 25 Apr. 2024
One rule of thumb is to release analytical judgments but not the underlying raw intelligence on which they are based.
—David V. Gioe, Foreign Affairs, 23 Apr. 2024
Police data show the predominant underlying factor in homicides in 2023 was arguments.
—Bill Lukitsch, Kansas City Star, 22 Apr. 2024
The death certificate also listed that Type 2 diabetes was a secondary underlying cause.
—Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 16 Apr. 2024
Reade Pickert, Fortune, 27 Apr. 2024
More advocacy and support Some people with HS have underlying socioeconomic barriers that prevent them from getting care, Dr. Sokumbi points out.
—Tatiana Walk-Morris, SELF, 26 Apr. 2024
Finally, the team reproduce the same results with another social network called Gowalla, suggesting that both networks reflect the same underlying pattern.
—The Physics Arxiv Blog, Discover Magazine, 26 Apr. 2024
This conference will examine the issue of trauma as an underlying cause of gun violence in Black, Hispanic and vulnerable communities.
—Gail Mitchell, Billboard, 25 Apr. 2024
But other negative soundings point to an underlying tension between locals and the Venetian government over what is being done to ensure residents can continue to live there.
—Ryan Hogg, Fortune Europe, 25 Apr. 2024
One rule of thumb is to release analytical judgments but not the underlying raw intelligence on which they are based.
—David V. Gioe, Foreign Affairs, 23 Apr. 2024
Police data show the predominant underlying factor in homicides in 2023 was arguments.
—Bill Lukitsch, Kansas City Star, 22 Apr. 2024
The death certificate also listed that Type 2 diabetes was a secondary underlying cause.
—Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 16 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'underlying.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near underlying
Cite this Entry
“Underlying.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underlying. Accessed 2 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
underlying
adjective
un·der·ly·ing
ˌən-dər-ˌlī-iŋ
1
: lying under or below
the underlying rock
Medical Definition
underlying
adjective
un·der·ly·ing
-ˌlī-iŋ
: serving as a basis or cause (as of secondary symptoms)
the underlying brain malformation that caused the hydrocephalus—R. M. Henig
R. M. HenigLove words? Need even more definitions?
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