lay 1 of 4

1
2
as in to settle
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 & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3
4
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

6
as in to bet
to risk (something) on the outcome of an uncertain event I'll lay five dollars that you can't do it

Synonyms & Similar Words

7
as in to ascribe
to explain (something) as being the result of something else an electrical fire that was laid to faulty wiring

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8

lay

2 of 4

noun (1)

lay

3 of 4

noun (2)

lay

4 of 4

adjective

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 lay
Verb
Being in the highest tertile (one third for the lay person) of cardio health, Bhatt said, will add close to a decade to your life. John Werner, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025 The president appoints one of the lay members for a five-year term, and the remaining members serve for six-year terms. Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 29 Apr. 2025 Tagle, who was also removed from his role, had been nominally president but was not involved in the day-to-day operations, which were overseen by a lay director-general. Philip Pullella, Crispian Balmer, Alvise Armellini, Joshua McElwee and Chris Scicluna, USA Today, 21 Apr. 2025 The lay community provides for monks and temples, in exchange for the spiritual currency of merit, which is believed to turn into good karma. Brooke Schedneck, The Conversation, 27 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for lay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lay
Verb
  • Haliburton put no weight on the leg and had his face wrapped in towels as he was taken to the Pacers’ locker room for evaluation.
    Tim Reynolds, Chicago Tribune, 23 June 2025
  • Eight steel lifting straps were used to put the hull upright and to form part of a steel wire lifting system that began raising the vessel out of the water Saturday.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 22 June 2025
Verb
  • The unexpected matchup between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers will be settled on Sunday, June 22 in Oklahoma City.
    Vitas Carosella, Forbes.com, 21 June 2025
  • The judge’s decision this week came more than 15 years after the first explosive lawsuit between the two men was settled.
    Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2025
Verb
  • Flight restrictions imposed after flare-ups between Iran and Israel last year were short-lived, Sobie said.
    Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 21 June 2025
  • In a certain way, those genres have imposed themselves a little too much.
    Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 20 June 2025
Verb
  • So, the National Weather Service has been working closely with FIFA’s safety and security chief to develop plans for all 11 U.S. cities preparing to host World Cup games next year.
    Melanie Anzidei, New York Times, 22 June 2025
  • This area is fairly rugged, so be prepared for a hike and wear appropriate clothing and shoes.
    Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 22 June 2025
Verb
  • Thousands will be rounded up, tortured, and executed as the regime spreads fear to survive.
    Siamak Namazi, Time, 25 June 2025
  • Despite the ban, unhealthy information on achieving extreme thinness continues to spread on social media.
    Brittney Melton, NPR, 25 June 2025
Verb
  • The attacking midfielder might be sacrificed as a starter against Bayern but don’t bet against him making a decisive contribution at some stage.
    The Athletic Staff, New York Times, 28 June 2025
  • The bitcoin price has soared toward its all-time high of $112,000 per bitcoin, with traders betting a looming Federal Reserve flip will turbo-charge the crypto market.
    Billy Bambrough, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
Verb
  • Top lawmakers involved in the debate, from the Republican bill sponsor to the top Democrat in the state House, have ascribed significance to the mysterious poll, mentioning its existence in legislative hearings, interviews and a press conference over the past several weeks.
    Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 20 June 2025
  • The adrenaline rush that reviewers ascribe to Ballerina misses the point.
    Armond White, National Review, 11 June 2025
Verb
  • The impact of those bombs is buried under a mountain of rubble in Iran; so anyone who says the bombs were not devastating is just trying to undermine the President and the successful mission.
    Sonam Sheth Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 June 2025
  • Any parts of the hull that weren't quickly buried by silt have long since decomposed in the water.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 24 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Lay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lay. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.

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