overlain

Definition of overlainnext
past participle of overlie
1
as in overlapped
to lie over parts of one another the puzzle pieces overlay one another in complete disarray on the floor

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for overlain
Verb
  • His time at City overlapped with that of the west London club’s co-director of recruitment and talent, Joe Shields, who worked for the Etihad Stadium side from 2013 to 2022.
    Cerys Jones, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026
  • Other cast members Fey overlapped with during her time included Will Ferrell, Ana Gasteyer, Tim Meadows, Molly Shannon, Tracy Morgan, Chris Parnell, Jason Sudeikis, Kristen Wiig, Andy Samberg and Bill Hader.
    Victoria Edel, PEOPLE, 21 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • While this necklace is gold vermeil (coated), it’s designed to last a long time—just make sure not to shower with it on.
    Gina Vaynshteyn, StyleCaster, 29 Apr. 2026
  • The exterior of the ring is coated in titanium, which held up well during two weeks of testing.
    Andrew Gebhart, PC Magazine, 28 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Its façade was covered with white tiles that gleamed in the morning light.
    Lizzie Johnson, New Yorker, 25 Apr. 2026
  • These offsets have allowed Congress to pass larger highway bills even though the HTF has covered a smaller part of the Surface Transportation Program annually.
    Andrew Stasiowski, Boston Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The gold ring is composed of a mixed-cut octagonal sapphire which is overlaid with four rectangular-cut and one square-cut rubies.
    Alex Gurley, PEOPLE, 26 Apr. 2026
  • To do this, Schlatter overlaid the crowding composites tracked by Citi.
    Alex Harring, CNBC, 31 Mar. 2026
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Cite this Entry

“Overlain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overlain. Accessed 1 May. 2026.

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