as in to fasten
to attach (a rope) to something so that it is secure
The climber belayed the rope.
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Example Sentences
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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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Contractors suggested drilling into the surface of the dome — built in the 1880s — to fasten sheets of plywood or other materials over the opening.—
Ethan Baron,
Mercury News,
31 Dec. 2025
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The Legate gently declines Lucy by fastening her to a cross.—
Jack King,
Vulture,
31 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Demin hit a 3-pointer with six seconds to go to tie it, and Banchero missed a 30-footer at the buzzer.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
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Schnapp also spoke to PEOPLE about the series ending, insisting that all loose ends had been tied — even his character’s longstanding crush on his best friend Mike (Wolfhard).—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Earlier in the night, Alisha Efimova and Misha Mitrofanov defended their pairs title despite a couple of mistakes, including a scary moment when Mitrofanov was nearly clipped by Efimova’s skate.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
9 Jan. 2026
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Late in the first, Hartman clipped former Gophers captain Ben Meyers in the Seattle offensive zone, and was whistled for tripping.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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One defensive stop later, and the Hurricanes clinched their 31-27 win over the Rebels to punch their ticket into the national championship game.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
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Celebrations spilled from Calle 8 into the Miami Hurricanes team store this week as fans poured in to grab game-day gear after the Canes clinched a spot in the national championship — one that will be played at home.—
Steve Maugeri,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Kate Hudson had a pin-up girl moment in a recent photoshoot.—
Emma Banks,
InStyle,
8 Jan. 2026
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In his questioning, the Judiciary Committee chairman, Jim Jordan, seemed to be searching for something—anything—to pin on Smith.—
Ruth Marcus,
New Yorker,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Vande Kolk clenched his teeth to avoid crying.—
Jamie Thompson,
The Atlantic,
6 Nov. 2025
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Her purplish hands remained clenched on her chest.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The polygraph exam uses a device strapped to a subject’s body to measure physiological responses like heart rate, blood pressure and perspiration as the person answers yes-or-no questions.—
William Turton,
ProPublica,
30 Dec. 2025
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Tuck keys, phone, cards, and a few other essentials into the bag, strap it on, and be on your way.—
Rebecca Jones,
Southern Living,
28 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Belay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/belay. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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