as in to fasten
to attach (a rope) to something so that it is secure
The climber belayed the rope.
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Recent Examples of belay
The ship’s resting place deep underwater helped preserve key features, like bow clamps and belaying pins, by limiting the growth of invasive quagga mussels, as noted in the release.
—
Sophia Compton, FOXNews.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Drinking should happen after you’re done belaying for the day.
—Outside Editors, Outside Online, 3 July 2025
So the climbers who found the elk helped rig him up to belay the creature to the base of the wall, officials said.
—Brooke Baitinger, Idaho Statesman, 7 Jan. 2025
Born as a design concept to give climbers a shoe to wear for quick access to the crag, comfort when belaying and recovery after a climb, the Kragg fills a need.
—Tim Newcomb, Forbes, 13 Feb. 2024
See All Example Sentences for belay
Sophia Compton, FOXNews.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Drinking should happen after you’re done belaying for the day.
—Outside Editors, Outside Online, 3 July 2025
So the climbers who found the elk helped rig him up to belay the creature to the base of the wall, officials said.
—Brooke Baitinger, Idaho Statesman, 7 Jan. 2025
Born as a design concept to give climbers a shoe to wear for quick access to the crag, comfort when belaying and recovery after a climb, the Kragg fills a need.
—Tim Newcomb, Forbes, 13 Feb. 2024
See All Example Sentences for belay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for belay
Verb
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By the following morning, crews had worked quickly to fasten 18 letters to the institution’s marble facade.—
Janay Kingsberry,
The Atlantic,
4 June 2026
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Seashell earrings feel like a natural evolution for the kind of girls who, like me, grew up with a shell necklace securely fastened around their neck each summer.—
Lidia Maseres,
Glamour,
3 June 2026
Verb
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The Rays entered the series after a three-game sweep of the Boston Red Sox but have lost consecutive games to the Angels, who were tied for the worst record in the American League at the start of play Saturday.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 June 2026
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The Knicks elected to foul rather than allow San Antonio to attempt a tying three and the strategy worked exactly as intended.—
Dan Zaksheske,
FOXNews.com,
14 June 2026
Verb
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The platform also allows users to translate their podcasts into more than 30 languages, using a cloned version of the Rebel user’s voice, and to immediately clip portions of their podcast.—
Corbin Bolies,
Variety,
12 June 2026
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Incidents of planes clipping each other's wings on the ground are not uncommon.—
Christopher Edwards,
PEOPLE,
12 June 2026
Verb
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The Sooners clinched their CWS appearance by defeating the Kansas Jayhawks twice in the Lawrence Super Regional.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
13 June 2026
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Washington’s Amanda Moll cleared 15 feet, 10 1/2 inches in the pole vault to set a collegiate record and clinch the title over her sister Hana Moll – the indoor champion — and the Huskies took the team lead on Thursday at the NCAA outdoor track and field championships.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 June 2026
Verb
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Played by Michelle Williams at her most tremulous, this Marilyn is something like a butterfly that Hollywood wants to pin to a board and display.—
Daniel D'Addario,
Variety,
1 June 2026
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The impact from the crash led the Chevrolet van to pin the man up against the Land Rover.—
Marcella Baietto,
CBS News,
31 May 2026
Verb
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An accompanying photograph shows Glimcher holding the viewer’s gaze, his right hand outstretched on the desk, clenched in a tight fist.—
Devorah Lauter,
ARTnews.com,
4 June 2026
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Essentially, just clench your butt cheeks.—
Stephanie Brown,
Verywell Health,
29 May 2026
Verb
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Under the method, executioners strap inmates to a gurney with chest and shoulder harnesses and attach a mask to his face.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
9 June 2026
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In the upcoming fifth and sixth seasons of Rubble & Crew, fans will strap on safety gear and get ready for demolition, as Builder Cove’s construction heroes become the Wrecking Crew, moving from construction to destruction.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Belay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/belay. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
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