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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My favorite detail is the red ribbon on Giovanna’s right shoulder, which fastens her sleeve to her dress and floats over the darkness.—
Zachary Fine,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
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The officer opened the door and entered the cell, finding Guaranda Gamboy with a bed sheet tied around his neck with the other end fastened to the door, according to Banevivius.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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His two-out, two-run double off Bryan Baker gave the Yankees a 3-2 lead in the eighth but Tampa Bay tied the score in the bottom half when Nick Fortes doubled leading off against Max Fried and scored on Yandy Díaz’s infield hit, a high-hopper to first baseman Ben Rice.—
Kristie Ackert,
The Orlando Sentinel,
12 Apr. 2026
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His father was the fourth generation in a long line of gentlemen ranchers—weekend cowboys who’d made their fortune in Austin as attorneys for large oil companies, but whose identity was still tied to the thousands of acres that the family owned near Marfa.—
Douglas Stuart,
New Yorker,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Both the House and Senate want to clip DeSantis’ wings.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
11 Apr. 2026
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Thanks to the rise of algorithmic feeds, clipping has morphed into the creator economy’s version of wheatpasting.—
Andrew Zucker,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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City will have one eye on clinching the FA Cup trophy for the third time in eight years, while Arsenal’s Champions League semi-final clashes with Atletico Madrid will take plenty out of them physically and mentally.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
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Martinez had a three-run double and drove in four runs overall Friday as Cypress beat Foothill, 8-5, to clinch at least a share of the Crestview League championship.—
Steve Fryer,
Oc Register,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Features included with the subscription include the ability to send premium stickers, set new app themes, add a custom app icon, pin up to 20 chats instead of the usual three, set premium ringtones, and options to upgrade your chat lists.—
Jibin Joseph,
PC Magazine,
21 Apr. 2026
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Boda claimed that doctors were unable to pin her cancer to a specific cause — but told her that smoking and vaping definitely didn’t help.—
Kelly McGreal,
FOXNews.com,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The two of them clench in the car, waiting to be let through the border.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
13 Apr. 2026
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May watched, jaw clenched, arms crossed, eyes glassy.—
Justin Williams,
New York Times,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Motorsports sanctioning bodies and manufacturers continually work to improve safety measures, to better protect competitors, spectators, track personnel and others every time racers strap on their helmets, buckle their safety belts, take to the track and compete.—
Jan Wagner,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Apr. 2026
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In winter, the mountains transform into one of Japan's top ski destinations, with dozens of resorts accessible within minutes of bullet train stations; non-skiers can strap on traditional Japanese snowshoes and sip hot tea in the snowy forest.—
Iona Brannon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Belay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/belay. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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