underlie
verb (used with object)
to lie under or beneath; be situated under.
are underlying
-
present progressiveof underlie.present progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or state that is currently taking place in the immediate present.
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 following screen highlights companies that have grown sales at a high clip while managing to improve their gross profit margins and operating margins, which are underlying measure of profitability.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 10, 2026
This fluidity appears hard to understand, but there are underlying principles from the coaches that enable it to work without descending into chaos.
From BBC ● Apr. 28, 2026
To remove the often biased self-reporting that goes with virtues, our instrument measures only values, which are underlying motivations.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 20, 2025
“There are underlying reasons why buildings will want this technology, but it’s a market that takes a long time.”
From Seattle Times ● Jun. 2, 2024
There are underlying Rules, which< are detected by the scientific Botanist; but these are not seen by the casual observer.
From Scientific American Supplement, No. 829, November 21, 1891 by Various
