1
as in to enact
to put into effect through legislative or authoritative action
the city council promises to lay down new ordinances that will force dog walkers to clean up after their animals
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to declare
to state clearly and strongly
at the risk of their popularity, the parents laid down the rules for the party and wouldn't accept any arguments
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to specify
to give the rules about (something) clearly and exactly
the supervisor laid down the procedure for a complaint of sexual harassment
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in to relinquish
to give (something) over to the control or possession of another usually under duress
commanded the surrounded troops to lay down their weapons
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of lay down
Second Movement Next, place the roller behind you and lay down over it; this time with the roller perpendicular to your spine.
—
Jennifer Shanker, Flow Space, 18 Dec. 2025
Then my sister lay down next to me.
—NPR, 26 Nov. 2025
Millions of Russian men, unwilling to take on lower-status work, lay down on the couch and took to drink.
—Julia Ioffe, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2025
Second, disassociate from Hamas and other terrorist groups, including Iran, lay down all arms, and come to the table with a plan to live in harmony with Israel.
—Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lay down
Jennifer Shanker, Flow Space, 18 Dec. 2025
Then my sister lay down next to me.
—NPR, 26 Nov. 2025
Millions of Russian men, unwilling to take on lower-status work, lay down on the couch and took to drink.
—Julia Ioffe, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2025
Second, disassociate from Hamas and other terrorist groups, including Iran, lay down all arms, and come to the table with a plan to live in harmony with Israel.
—Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lay down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lay down
Verb
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At the same time, however, the study documented dimming events including in Ukraine and Gaza as wars unfolded, in Venezuela as the economy collapsed, and in parts of Europe when governments enacted energy conservation mandates following the Russia-Ukraine war.—
Bree Shirvell,
Hartford Courant,
12 May 2026
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Bumpy roads could be ahead, fiscally and literally Several states have already enacted gas tax holidays to bring temporary relief to drivers, including Georgia, Indiana, and Utah, which are saving Americans 33 cents, 59 cents, and 6 cents per gallon respectively in those states.—
Jake Angelo,
Fortune,
11 May 2026
Verb
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Its stranglehold over the country became evident last year when the group declared a fuel blockade of Mali’s capital, Bamako.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
10 May 2026
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On April 27, 2026, Ambassador Michael Waltz launched the ‘Trade Over Aid’ initiative declaring that private-sector investment and bilateral trade agreements would replace development grants as America’s primary tool of global engagement.—
Jesse Pines,
Forbes.com,
10 May 2026
Verb
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In both places, records specified that there were no injuries in all but one case.—
Caitlin McGlade,
Charlotte Observer,
11 May 2026
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The president did not specify which elements of Iran's proposal prompted his rejection.—
James LaPorta,
CBS News,
11 May 2026
Verb
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Turn back the tape just a few weeks ago, to when the Five Stripes relinquished a 1-0 advantage in the final stretch to lose at home 2-1.—
Amna Subhan,
AJC.com,
10 May 2026
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More than 75 other nurses with Operation Nightingale school diplomas relinquished their Florida credentials, the health department said in its April 22 email in response to the Sentinel’s questions.—
Annie Martin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 May 2026
Verb
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The City Council passed the item by unanimous vote and without discussion.—
Nick Sullivan,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Apr. 2026
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The Mets will reassess after 10 days have passed.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Silvia and Guojun were now attempting to assert custody rights over the infant there, along with the newborns whom surrogates had recently birthed in Georgia and Virginia.—
Ava Kofman,
New Yorker,
11 May 2026
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As Sportico explained, class counsel Steve Berman and Jeffrey Kessler assert multimedia rights companies including Learfield, Playfly Sports and JMI Sports—and third-party brand sponsors including banks, apparel companies, airlines and car dealerships—aren’t associated entities.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
11 May 2026
Verb
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This is in direct conflict with how both Virginia and federal law define an election.—
Oren Oppenheim,
ABC News,
8 May 2026
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Vegetables end up being the defining criteria.—
James Manso,
Footwear News,
8 May 2026
Verb
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Deputies rendered medical aid; however, one man and the woman succumbed to their injuries and were pronounced dead at the scene.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
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Perhaps Pfleger would be well advised to stick to his faith and his flock and to render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s, rather than to continue to pontificate from the pulpit — or even the paper.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
Video
Lay vs. Lie
Editor Emily Brewster clarifies the difference.
Cite this Entry
“Lay down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lay%20down. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
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