underlied
Formed the base
Underlied is the past tense of underlie, meaning to lie beneath or form the foundation of something.
Physical layers underlie others: Limestone underlied the topsoil.
Abstract forces underlie visible phenomena: A deep insecurity underlied his bravado.
The word is easily confused with underlaid, the past tense of underlay (to place something beneath).
Gave aid or backing
- bolsteredStrengthened or supported
- reinforcedMade more resistant
- sustainedKept up continuously
- upheldAffirmed on review
backed · buttressed · strengthened · undergirded · propped · shored up · braced
Solid stone underground
- substratumFoundational layer beneath
- baseSupporting bottom structure
- groundworkFoundational preparation for something
- underpinningFoundational support beneath
substructure · substrate · footing · infrastructure · foundation · platform · underlayer · support
Existing since birth
- intrinsicBelonging by nature
- essentialFundamentally necessary
- ingrainedFirmly established by habit
- integralAntiderivative or crucial component
fundamental · basic · core · root · deep-seated · embedded · built-in · constitutive
Implicit meaning beneath words
- unspokenNot verbally expressed
- tacitUnderstood without words
- understoodGrasped the meaning
- assumedTaken as true
implied · latent · unstated · unarticulated · unexpressed · hidden · covert · beneath
supported
Gave aid or backing
- bolsteredStrengthened or supported
- reinforcedMade more resistant
- sustainedKept up continuously
upheld · backed · buttressed · strengthened · undergirded · propped · shored up · braced
bedrock
Solid stone underground
- substratumFoundational layer beneath
- baseSupporting bottom structure
- groundworkFoundational preparation for something
underpinning · substructure · substrate · footing · infrastructure · foundation · platform · underlayer · support · bottom
innate
Existing since birth
integral · fundamental · basic · core · root · deep-seated · embedded · built-in · constitutive · elemental
subtext
Implicit meaning beneath words
- unspokenNot verbally expressed
- tacitUnderstood without words
- understoodGrasped the meaning
assumed · implied · latent · unstated · unarticulated · unexpressed · hidden · covert · beneath · below the surface
underliedoverlaid
Covered by placing above
overlay · covered · surmounted · topped · overspread