lay on

verb

Definition of lay onnext
1
as in to spread
to put a layer of on a surface she lays the butter on so thickly that you hardly taste the bagel

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to employ
chiefly British to provide with a paying job lay on more staff for the busy tourist season in the Lake District

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for lay on
  1. spread
  2. employ
  3. apply
  4. hire
  5. lay
  6. recruit
  7. smear
Verb
  • Military firefighters in Sierra Oeste, Spain battled to contain flames as a wildfire spread overnight.
    — Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 25 July 2026
  • Protesters blame Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and demand his resignation, but the demonstrations have since expanded into a wider anger over government accountability, spreading to other cities.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 July 2026
Definition of spread
Verb
  • The database is typically employed by police officers conducting criminal investigations and includes sensitive information like people’s Social Security numbers, medical-disability records, addresses, signatures and emergency contacts.
    — David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 25 July 2026
  • Job cuts loom Volkswagen employs about 650,000 people globally and had already announced plans to cut 50,000 jobs in Germany by 2030.
    — Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 24 July 2026
Definition of employ
Verb
  • Transparency advocates, and even the Pentagon’s own internal watchdog, have described the term CUI as inconsistently applied and overused.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 July 2026
  • Garcia never stepped on the brakes before the SUV hit the tree; only the vehicle’s accelerator was applied, according to the DA’s Office.
    — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 23 July 2026
Definition of apply
Verb
  • So, when Thursday’s term sheet was sent to the Blazers, the team was put off by asks from the city, particularly the $3 million annual fee for a property tax offset and a requirement that the team hires union workers.
    — Jason Quick, New York Times, 21 July 2026
  • That means other captains looking to hire Luke will see the incident on his record.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 21 July 2026
Definition of hire
Verb
  • He was also sent off for a headbutt against an opponent who provoked him in his last ever match, which happened to be the 2006 World Cup final; his human reaction laid bare on the highest stage of all.
    — Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 21 July 2026
  • The company has already laid significant groundwork, launching pre-orders on June 25, revealing cover art, and releasing 60 new screenshots.
    — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
Definition of lay
Verb
  • City’s deep pockets and determination to recruit Anderson helped Forest extract a record fee for a British player — which in turn was used as a benchmark for Rogers’ sale by Villa to another of the few clubs with enough money to close a deal.
    — Cerys Jones, New York Times, 24 July 2026
  • The Barbarian and Archer Queen have joined forces and are recruiting you to help take the village — and his facial hair — back.
    — Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 July 2026
Definition of recruit
Verb
  • Cara Mangini spoons these luscious tomatoes over crostini that she’s smeared with goat cheese or ricotta, then tops each with extra basil.
    — Ginger Crichton, Midwest Living, 18 July 2026
  • Excessive oil can clog the cloth’s fibers and smear grime across your stainless steel, creating unsightly streaks and residue.
    — Kate Van Pelt, The Spruce, 15 July 2026
Definition of smear
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.

Browse Nearby Words

layoffs
lay on
layout
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Cite this Entry

“Lay on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lay%20on. Accessed 27 Jul. 2026.

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Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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