lay

1 to arrange something in a certain spot or position <just lay the book over there on the table for now> Synonyms depose, deposit, dispose, emplace, fix, place, position, put, set, set up, situate, stickRelated Words move, rearrange, reorder, shift; orient; establish, locate, plant, settle; clap, flop, plank, plop, plump, plunk (or plonk), plunk down, slap; ensconce, niche; assemble, collect; carry; berth, park; affix, anchor, lock, lodge, wedge; array, lay out, line up, queue, rank; set downNear Antonyms relocate, remove, take; banish; dislodge, displace, replace, supersede, supplant

2 to cause to come to rest at the bottom (as of a liquid) <the rain was just hard enough to lay the dust in the air> Synonyms settle, sedimentRelated Words filter, screen, sieve, sift, strain; clarify, clear; resettleNear Antonyms agitate, disturb, mix, stirAntonyms raise

3 to establish or apply as a charge or penalty <state officials tried to lay a tax on merchandise sold over the Internet> Synonyms assess, charge, exact, fine, impose, levy, putRelated Words dock, excise, mulct, penalize, tax; extort, shake down, wrest, wring; bleed, fleece, gouge, milk, skin, squeeze; coerce, compel, force; inflict, wreak; set; reapply, reimpose, relayNear Antonyms abate, diminish, lessen; forgive, release; condone, disregard, excuse, gloss (over), gloze (over), ignore, pardonAntonyms remit

4 to make ready in advance <she's laying plans for the charity auction months ahead of time> Synonyms fit, fix, groom, prepare, prep, readyRelated Words brace, fortify, gird, steel; batten, gather, gear up, mount; educate, indoctrinate, instruct, school, train, tutor; boot (up), prime; arrange, set, spread; arm, equip, forearm, furnish, outfit, provide, supply; incline, predispose; draft, draw up, frame; warm (up)

5 to put a layer of on a surface <the mason laid mortar over the first row of bricks before starting the second> Synonyms apply, spread, lay onRelated Words anoint, bedaub, besmear, dab, daub, plaster, slather, smear; blanket, carpet, coat, cover, layer, mantle, overlay, overlie, overspread, sheet, surfaceNear Antonyms bare, expose, peel, strip, uncover

6 to risk (something) on the outcome of an uncertain event <I'll lay five dollars that you can't do it> Synonyms gamble, go, bet, play, put, stake, wagerRelated Words bid, offer; adventure, chance, hazard, speculate, venture; endanger, imperil, jeopardize

7 to explain (something) as being the result of something else <an electrical fire that was laid to faulty wiring> Synonyms accredit, ascribe, attribute, chalk up, impute, credit, put downRelated Words blame, charge, father (on), impute (to), pin (on); assign, refer; associate, attach, connect, link

8 to place (a dead body) in the earth, a tomb, or the sea <lay the corpse to rest> Synonyms entomb, hearse, inhume, inter, bury, put away, tombRelated Words immure, inurn; enshrine; conceal, cover, ensconce, hide; obscure, shade, shield; cloak, curtain, enshroud, shroud; rebury, reinter; coffinNear Antonyms burn, cremate; bare, disclose, discover, display, exhibit, expose, reveal, show; uncoffinAntonyms disinter, exhume, unearth