1
as in to put
to arrange something in a certain spot or position
just lay the book over there on the table for now
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
3
as in to impose
to establish or apply as a charge or penalty
state officials tried to lay a tax on merchandise sold over the Internet
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to prepare
to make ready in advance
she's laying plans for the charity auction months ahead of time
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in to spread
to put a layer of on a surface
the mason laid mortar over the first row of bricks before starting the second
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
7
as in to ascribe
to explain (something) as being the result of something else
an electrical fire that was laid to faulty wiring
Synonyms & Similar Words
8
as in to bury
to place (a dead body) in the earth, a tomb, or the sea
lay the corpse to rest
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
as in ballad
a short musical composition for the human voice often with instrumental accompaniment
she sang a short lay in dedication to her husband
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in work
the activity by which one regularly makes a living
my main lay is as a general contractor, but I do side work as a carpenter
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in laic
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Recent Examples of lay
Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 20 Aug. 2025
Its generous paddeding, cushion-back design, and lay-flat sleeper feature provide both comfort and practicality.
—Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Aug. 2025
Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 28 Sep. 2025
Because laying the fiber was no easy task and costs billions and billions of dollars.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 28 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lay
Verb
Slavin and running mate Peter Antico may be obscure to the lay entertainment consumer but are familiar figures within SAG-AFTRA politics.
—Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 20 Aug. 2025
Its generous paddeding, cushion-back design, and lay-flat sleeper feature provide both comfort and practicality.
—Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Aug. 2025
Noun
The group is entering its sixth season working together as a cohesive unit and has done its part to lay the foundation for the franchise’s long-term success at the goaltending position.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 28 Sep. 2025
Because laying the fiber was no easy task and costs billions and billions of dollars.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 28 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lay
Verb
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The production came just in time to help the Angels (72-88) put a serious dent in the Astros’ chances of going to the playoffs.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
27 Sep. 2025
-
Robot boot camps to drive change To put that into perspective, its most significant rival in this area, the United States, currently only deploys around a tenth of that a year.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The network ultimately settled the case out of court for an undisclosed amount.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
27 Sep. 2025
-
The casting process for the Netflix movie was nearing its end, and the filmmakers still hadn’t settled on who would play the central couple, whose story is often used as a model for faith and love.—
Giana Levy,
Variety,
27 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Restrictions were also imposed at airports in Volgograd, Kaluga, Penza, Samara, Pskov and Yaroslavl.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
28 Sep. 2025
-
Abarca had allegedly thrown his wife to the ground during an argument, charging documents said, that led to her asking a judge to impose a restraining order against him.—
Ilana Arougheti,
Kansas City Star,
27 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The latest incidents also highlight how ill-prepared the bloc is amid the growing importance of drones in today’s warfare.—
Silvia Amaro,
CNBC,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Students in Cal State Fullerton’s Master of Social Work program now have access to a new credential pathway that expands career opportunities and prepares graduates to make an impact at schools in their communities.—
Jenelyn Russo,
Oc Register,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Advertisement That has helped save tens of millions of lives, contributed to a reduction by half of mortality rates of children under five, put developing countries on a better economic trajectory, and substantially reduced the chances that infectious diseases emerge and spread.—
Dr. Seth Berkley,
Time,
26 Sep. 2025
-
Even minor sparks or drifting embers can incite nearby foliage or grass, setting off a rapidly spreading fire.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Sports betting operators have no influence over newsroom coverage.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Sep. 2025
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With Matthew Tkachuk already out until December, Barkov’s erasure has seen Florida dropped from near the top of betting odds to all the way to seventh at DraftKings.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Johnson reached a similar conclusion with respect to Gaines’ attempt to ascribe state action to the NCAA.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
26 Sep. 2025
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Boelter’s motivation remains unclear, but investigators found a one-and-a-half-page letter, described as rambling and difficult to read, that was ascribed to him.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The Mountain View Fire Protection District and Boulder County sheriff’s deputies responded when neighbors reported the fire, and the cult members extinguished the blaze by burying it with dirt.—
Noelle Phillips,
Denver Post,
26 Sep. 2025
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Paleontological excavations at this site have previously been fruitful, according to the study, with animals ranging from mollusks to iguanian lizards to dinosaur giants like titanosaurs discovered buried in the sediment.—
Irene Wright,
Miami Herald,
26 Sep. 2025
Video
Lay vs. Lie
Editor Emily Brewster clarifies the difference.
Cite this Entry
“Lay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lay. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
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