lying 1 of 4

Definition of lyingnext

lying

2 of 4

noun

lying

3 of 4

verb (1)

present participle of lie

lying

4 of 4

verb (2)

present participle of lie
1
as in leading
to be positioned along a certain course or in a certain direction the train tracks lie just over that hill

Synonyms & Similar Words

2
3
as in hiding
to remain out of sight paparazzi were lying in wait outside the restaurant, a well-known celebrity hangout

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of lying
Adjective
He was found dead lying face up on his hotel bed with no signs of trauma, according to a Monday report from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office in Florida. Kenan Draughorne, Los Angeles Times, 14 Jan. 2022
Noun
What better time than the summer of the nation’s 250th anniversary of independence to reflect on how Trump’s years of lying have corroded the citizenry’s essential belief in the integrity of elections? Jackie Calmes, Mercury News, 19 June 2026 Stop the madness, stop the lying, and just be free. Marina Watts, Entertainment Weekly, 19 June 2026 In the finale of Season 2, the women have gotten past the lying and scheming and are in a new and more honest place. Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 10 June 2026 Just needed his seat in Congress despite his lying and cheating, kind of like the guy sitting in the White House. Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 8 June 2026 To me that’s not a rewrite job — that’s just plain lying. Bea L. Hines, Miami Herald, 4 June 2026 Kandynn was convicted of first-degree murder, with a lying in wait special circumstance, according to the DA's office. Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 29 May 2026 His lying has finally caught up with him. Erin Moriarty, CBS News, 17 May 2026 Huang throws the first group dinner of the series and, when confronted with both the rumors and the lying, quits on the spot. Brian Moylan, Vulture, 1 May 2026
Verb
Aabria, by contrast, leans on personality and connection, clasping hands with the jurors and complimenting them before calmly lying about the rules of the bra contest and her victory. Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 30 June 2026 Anderson is one of the best deep-lying ball-players in the Premier League right now. Graham Ruthven, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026 He was found lying next to his car on the ground with gunshot wounds to his elbow and side, according to police. Kerri Corrado, CBS News, 29 June 2026 The next surveillance video from outside of the apartment is after midnight, when Reidy Watts, nude and clearly seriously hurt, is seen struggling to get outside, then lying just out of the door frame. Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 29 June 2026 Locally heavy rain will quickly reduce visibility and result in ponding of water on roadways, standing water in low lying areas, and minor flooding of creeks, streams, and areas of poor drainage. Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 28 June 2026 Night after night of lying there frustrated, anxious, wide awake, calculating how few hours remain, and the bed slowly becomes a cue for wakefulness and worry instead of sleep. Sharon Brandwein, USA Today, 27 June 2026 Not to mention, oversized boxes take up a ton of space even when lying flat. Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 June 2026 Start with simple glute-strengthening exercises like side-lying leg raises, glute bridges, and clamshells, and gradually increase resistance. Maggie O'Neill, Verywell Health, 26 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lying
Adjective
  • For millions of individuals and businesses who rely on professional preparers, the answer portends a frightening prospect if the return preparer is dishonest.
    Virginia La Torre Jeker, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
  • Her attorneys contend the defendants used the litigation to portray her as dishonest, intimidate potential witnesses, fuel a public relations campaign against her and drive up the cost of her legal defense.
    Adam Reiss, NBC news, 30 June 2026
Noun
  • Guo was convicted of nine of 12 criminal charges during a seven-week trial that prosecutors said showcased his deception of thousands of investors in bogus deals that enabled Guo’s lavish lifestyle.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 30 June 2026
  • By the time the deception was uncovered, the employee had authorized $25 million in transfers.
    Kevin Pierce, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
Verb
  • Appearance, though, can be deceiving, but luckily, this shed is still packed with smart features and a clever design that will keep all your belongings safe.
    Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 29 June 2026
  • Here, however, the joke is that appearances can be deceiving — or to be more specific, that trying to act like a character in a movie is a reckless, unwise thing to do.
    Elena Lazic, Variety, 26 June 2026
Verb
  • Yet despite those struggles, South Africa, one of Africa’s leading industrial economies, remains a destination for migrants willing to take low-paying jobs in domestic work, security and agriculture.
    Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 29 June 2026
  • As businesses in Hollywood and other sectors face more consolidation and competition, executives are getting richly compensated more for their role in leading companies through challenging times.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2026
Verb
  • Trump had campaigned on restricting birthright citizenship, arguing that the citizenship clause had been misinterpreted, and attended the April 2026 oral arguments in a first for a sitting president.
    Mike Snider, USA Today, 1 July 2026
  • Team mentality spurs decisions The A’s were sitting at 40-44 heading into Tuesday, three games out of the American League West lead and 2 1/2 games out of the final AL Wild Card spot.
    Sean Campbell, Sacbee.com, 1 July 2026
Verb
  • The country’s singular role in hiding Jews from their Nazi occupiers is well documented.
    Larry Luxner, Sun Sentinel, 29 June 2026
  • The anti-Trump rage, the surge of younger, more educated progressive voters, the hunger for someone willing to fight on affordability with policy, message, and tone, in Albany and Washington — all of it was hiding in plain sight for anyone looking at the data rather than the tired, old playbook.
    Bradley Honan, New York Daily News, 28 June 2026
Adjective
  • Mountain views, fishing ponds, sauna The misleading name of the town aside, there’s nothing small about this property.
    Bailey Berg, Architectural Digest, 26 June 2026
  • The authors note apoB is particularly valuable for patients with high triglycerides, insulin resistance or lower LDL-C levels, where traditional cholesterol numbers can be misleading.
    Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 26 June 2026
Noun
  • This week, in testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee, Attorney General Pam Bondi gave a master class in obfuscation, prevarication, and pettiness.
    John Ficarra, Air Mail, 11 Oct. 2025
  • There was no picture, there was no drawing, there has been so many lies, so much prevarication, so much cover up.
    John Parkinson, ABC News, 10 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Lying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lying. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.

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