SYNONYMS AND RELATED EXPRESSIONS
underlying
adjective
Forming a deeper basis or cause, sometimes not immediately obvious.
Local English device voice, when available. This is not a recorded dictionary pronunciation.
Forming a deeper basis
Closest synonyms
Related words and expressions
These extend or explain the idea and may require a different sentence structure.
Usage distinction
Return to topUnderlying identifies a deeper basis or cause. Latent and implicit concern what is not readily apparent, while inherent means built into something; those qualities alone do not establish a supporting basis.
CHECK THE MEANING IN CONTEXT
See underlying in use
The workshop examined the underlying assumptions behind each proposal.
An underlying assumption in the packing process treated a filled-looking tray as proof that every required piece was present.
Compare an alternative with the original word in each passage. Shared meanings do not make every pair interchangeable.
Synonym reference scope and sources
The groups distinguish the senses selected for this study entry. Closest synonyms and broader related expressions have separate labels. The listed sources support lexical selection; not every phrase is a direct quotation from a source.
- UNDERLYING Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster
- Princeton WordNet 3.0: wn30-a-00941940, wn30-a-01856419, wn30-a-02349604
How the synonym reference was prepared / WordNet 3.0 license