Definition of Underlying

triggering or motivating

Examples of Underlying in a sentence

The underlying cause for most lung cancer is smoking.  🔊

Although it is not the only underlying problem, a rise in joblessness has brought on more crime.  🔊

Strokes can be triggered by underlying diseases such as diabetes.  🔊

An underlying computer process activated the virus and shut down all of the databases.  🔊

Because no underlying or motivating cause was found, the woman’s hair loss was ruled a mystery.  🔊

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