Synonyms for Underlying (same or very similar meaning)
WordNet sense 1 (lying nearby but lower):
subjacent
WordNet sense 2 (being or involving basic facts or principles):
fundamental, rudimentary
WordNet sense 3 (pertaining to or constituting a base or basis):
basic
WordNet sense 4 (in the nature of something though not readily apparent):
inherent, implicit in
WordNet sense 5 (implied though not directly expressed; inherent in the nature of something):
implicit, inexplicit
From the ODE community, based on WordNet
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