underlying

[uhn-der-lahy-ing] / ˈʌn dərˌlaɪ ɪŋ /

ADJECTIVE

fundamental, latent

Synonyms

STRONGEST

basic elemental hidden

STRONG

bottom concealed lurking prime root veiled

WEAK

basal bottom-line cardinal critical crucial elementary essential indispensable intrinsic necessary needful nitty-gritty nub primary primitive radical substratal vital

Antonyms

WEAK

secondary

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

A third-party custodian holds the underlying common stock.

From Barron's • May 15, 2026

But the underlying structure of the relationship hasn’t changed.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 15, 2026

Call option buyers have the right, but not the obligation, to purchase underlying shares at a certain price in the future.

From Barron's • May 15, 2026

Nevertheless, the underlying lessons of financial fitness have remained largely unchanged.

From MarketWatch • May 14, 2026

They'd put a good face on it, but one could always detect an underlying sense of defeat.

From "Me Talk Pretty One Day" by David Sedaris

Vocabulary lists containing underlying

Outcasts United

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High Spirits

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Most Dangerous

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