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
Examples of underlying in a Sentence
the ocean and the underlying rock
the underlying differences between democracy and dictatorship
Recent Examples on the Web
Sometimes, pet names function as emotional wallpaper, concealing underlying issues rather than addressing them.
—
Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025
However, conversations may not always extend to the broader spectrum of symptoms, including severe pain or irregular periods, which can signal underlying conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or endometriosis.
—Taylor Lane, Flow Space, 8 May 2025
Three confirmed measles deaths have been reported — two among unvaccinated school-age children in Texas who had no underlying medical conditions, and one in an unvaccinated adult in New Mexico, according to the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
—Rong-Gong Lin Ii, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2025
Scar tape does not change the quality of the skin or address the underlying cause of the wrinkles.
—Kathleen Ferraro, Verywell Health, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for underlying
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Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025
However, conversations may not always extend to the broader spectrum of symptoms, including severe pain or irregular periods, which can signal underlying conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or endometriosis.
—Taylor Lane, Flow Space, 8 May 2025
Three confirmed measles deaths have been reported — two among unvaccinated school-age children in Texas who had no underlying medical conditions, and one in an unvaccinated adult in New Mexico, according to the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
—Rong-Gong Lin Ii, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2025
Scar tape does not change the quality of the skin or address the underlying cause of the wrinkles.
—Kathleen Ferraro, Verywell Health, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for underlying
Cite this Entry
“Underlying.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underlying. Accessed 18 May. 2025.
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?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
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