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Showing results for underlying. Search instead for underlyi.
Definitions

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.

The 22 clubs who have submitted their books for 2024-25 have lost a combined £317m, if you take into account Stoke's underlying numbers without the £90m written off loan.

From BBC • Apr. 5, 2026

It points scientists toward the underlying cognitive and communicative forces that shape human language.

From Science Daily • Apr. 5, 2026

AI startups such as OpenAI and Anthropic could be better positioned to successfully implement FDEs, Luria added, due to these companies’ ability to hire top talent, along with their strong underlying software and engaged customers.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 4, 2026

Underpinning the surge in retail prices is a historical move seen in futures for cocoa, the underlying ingredient for chocolate.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

Quite the opposite: that all that extra information isn’t actually an advantage at all; that, in fact, you need to know very little to find the underlying signature of a complex phenomenon.

From "Blink" by Malcolm Gladwell

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.