as in to store
to put (something of future use or value) in a safe or secret place
the weather forecast warned of a severe storm, so we laid away a generous supply of bottled water and canned food just in case
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in installment plan
Related Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of lay away
Tom Hyland, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2021
Jim Harrington, The Mercury News, 15 Jan. 2025
Adopted from South Korea as a baby, she was raised lovingly by parents who did their best, recalling a home where household goods were often purchased on layaway.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 15 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lay away
Verb
Yet, despite the tannins, Freisa is not a wine to lay away in most examples, but rather one that should be enjoyed early on, often chilled, with soups, seafood or lighter meats.
—Tom Hyland, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2021
Noun
There is also a layaway plan for single-day general admission tickets that starts at $50.
—Jim Harrington, The Mercury News, 15 Jan. 2025
Adopted from South Korea as a baby, she was raised lovingly by parents who did their best, recalling a home where household goods were often purchased on layaway.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 15 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lay away
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lay away
Verb
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Israeli military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani told reporters the depots were used to fuel Iran's war effort, including producing or storing propellant for ballistic missiles.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
10 Mar. 2026
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Although the data remains locally stored on each device, all participants in the network can validate the records, which ensures that the information cannot be secretly modified or erased.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
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At the time, the city offered businesses a 12-month installment plan to resolve their outstanding taxes.—
City News Service,
Daily News,
4 Mar. 2026
-
In February 2009, former Diamondbacks CEO Jeff Moorad became the Padres’ CEO and presumptive team owner after majority owner John Moores agreed to a three-year installment plan to transfer control of the club.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The hoard was most likely stashed away during the bloody Russian Revolution—an era made famous by the Disney movie about Princess Anastasia, the youngest daughter of Tsar Nicholas II.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Mar. 2026
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But with several non-roster invitees in camp who have opt outs and also can’t be easily stashed in the minors, Watson’s Rule 5 status might only give him so much leeway.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The cap-and-invest program is designed to generate revenue by auctioning emission allowances to businesses and to use that revenue to provide benefits for ratepayers through bill credits or rebates.—
Chaewon Chung
March 9,
Sacbee.com,
9 Mar. 2026
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Well, Texas is good on offense and little else, and to his credit Miller isn't hiding behind platitudes about where this thing can go one day or what must happen over these next few weeks.—
Cedric Golden,
Austin American Statesman,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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His solution lay in James Hanson, a striker who had been plucked from non-League — and, as City fans used to love singing, his day job as a shelf-stacker at the Co-op supermarket — by then-manager Stuart McCall six and a half years earlier.—
Richard Sutcliffe,
New York Times,
8 Mar. 2026
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The late reverend then lay in state at the South Carolina Capitol.—
Matt Brown,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Females can lay up to four eggs before raising their chicks alone.—
Charlotte Graham-McLay,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Feb. 2026
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Texas Christian University Horned Frogs forward Marta Suárez (7) lays up a first half shot against the Houston Cougars during the first half at Schollmaier Arena in Fort Worth, February 4, 2026.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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While a few noted that the croissant had decent flavor, most were off-put by the lack of color and dough-like texture.—
Jenna Sims,
Southern Living,
7 Mar. 2026
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Flip the script and set up an entryway for staying put by placing a comfy daybed by the door.—
Leanne Potts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
2 Oct. 2025
Video
Lay vs. Lie
Editor Emily Brewster clarifies the difference.
Cite this Entry
“Lay away.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lay%20away. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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