as in fastening
to attach (a rope) to something so that it is secure
The climber belayed the rope.
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Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for belaying
Verb
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The Legate gently declines Lucy by fastening her to a cross.—
Jack King,
Vulture,
31 Dec. 2025 -
Styled as always by Brad Goreski, the actor’s ultra-sheer, clingy black lace dress featured a plunged neckline that almost reached her bellybutton, fastening with one delicate strap and clasp at the chest.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
12 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Those are some candy shoes, Grejo said, jutting his chin toward Adi’s feet while tying what looked to be a length of thick fishing leader around his bicep.—
Jonathan Miles,
Harpers Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
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Instead of tying and teasing the hair on top of the head, the body of it was slicked over and gathered around the neck.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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However, there was still a lot of work to do, and with Mitchell clipping at his heels, the 18-year-old showed excellent composure to keep him at bay before planting a clinical shot past Dean Henderson.—
Tom Burrows,
New York Times,
26 Jan. 2026
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Treatment typically starts with clipping the fur around the injury, cleaning the area and, if needed, suturing the skin.—
Miriam Fauzia,
Dallas Morning News,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The picture is Triet’s first feature since her 2023 Cannes Palme d’Or-winning psychological thriller Anatomy of a Fall, which went on to enjoy a major awards-season run, garnering its star Sandra Hüller a Best Actress Academy Award nomination and clinching an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay.—
Justin Kroll,
Deadline,
27 Jan. 2026
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The Knights are on the verge of finishing second in the regular season and clinching a playoff spot before the Mission League tournament begins Thursday.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Melvin Council stood amid a crowd of his Kansas teammates, clenching a black belt in his fist.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
25 Jan. 2026
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Wole faced fixedly forward, both fists clenching the steering wheel.—
David Wright Faladé,
New Yorker,
28 Sep. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Belaying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/belaying. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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