belays

verb

present tense third-person singular of belay
as in fastens
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 belays
  1. fastens
  2. clips
  3. ties
  4. clinches
  5. clenches
  6. clasps
  7. bolts
  8. clamps
Verb
  • 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
  • Aquazzura’s signature swirling ankle strap curves upward from the sides of the shoe and fastens the 105mm heel with a slim buckle.
    — Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 16 Dec. 2025
Definition of fastens
Verb
  • All of my essentials are packed in my Stowaway, which clips into my weekender as a bag organizer, and can clip out to be worn on its own as a crossbody when walking around during the day or as a clutch when going out in the evening.
    — Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 16 July 2026
  • This compact tote folds into a small pouch that clips directly onto your keys and expands into a functional bag when needed.
    — Corein Carter, Forbes.com, 29 May 2026
Definition of clips
Verb
  • And your equity—the stock, the restricted units, the options—ties your net worth to it as well.
    — Mike Mess, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
  • Danko’s angelic voice sweetens every song, and the organ/piano fusion of Manuel and Hudson ties it all together.
    — Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 20 July 2026
Definition of ties
Verb
  • If its price retreats from these incredible heights by before SpaceX clinches the deal, that number will rise.
    — Shawn Tully, Fortune, 19 June 2026
  • The venue, home to the NBA's New York Knicks, could also be the site of an impromptu championship celebration if the team clinches the NBA Finals.
    — Ralphie Aversa, USA Today, 13 June 2026
Definition of clinches
Verb
  • As the comedy progresses, its buoyant tone clenches and darkens, and the plot bends and lurches, in ways that, to me, felt unnecessarily punitive toward both Haru and the audience.
    — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 31 Jan. 2026
  • As the infection takes hold, a patient’s jaw clenches, forcing the face into what appears to be a wide smile, and the back muscles contort into a painful arch.
    — Mustafa Fattah, NBC news, 24 Dec. 2025
Definition of clenches
Verb
  • King clasps his head, ready to shield his eyes if need be.
    — Sean Gregory, Time, 26 May 2026
  • Abner clasps Questelle’s face in her hands.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 22 May 2026
Definition of clasps
Verb
  • This episode, Zack wakes up and bolts upright with the bandage still on his head from getting clobbered with a sign on his birthday and can’t remember what happened the night before.
    — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 9 July 2026
  • When spinach bolts, the plant focuses its energy on producing flowers and seeds rather than leaves.
    — Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 29 Apr. 2026
Definition of bolts
Verb
  • The twisting barrel easily clamps to hair (without pulling) and gives you long-lasting curls for up to two days.
    — Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 23 June 2026
  • The Pocket Grip also features a central hex drive that clamps a standard hex bit.
    — Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 4 Mar. 2026
Definition of clamps
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

belaying
belays
belch
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Cite this Entry

“Belays.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/belays. Accessed 29 Jul. 2026.

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Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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