BELAYS Synonyms: 74 Similar and Opposite Words

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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Recent Examples of Synonyms for belays

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 a pair of overalls really ties together any outfit within seconds — whether layered over a tank top or tee for summer or a sweater for fall.

— Olivia Dubyak, PEOPLE, 14 July 2026
The best player of the previous decade, the link that ties Barry Bonds and Albert Pujols to Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani, has not taken an All-Star at-bat this decade.

— Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 10 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

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

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.

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belaying

belays

belch

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“Belays.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/belays. Accessed 20 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of belays

verb

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