1
as in put
to arrange something in a certain spot or position
just lay the book over there on the table for now
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in settled
to cause to come to rest at the bottom (as of a liquid)
the rain was just hard enough to lay the dust in the air
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in imposed
to establish or apply as a charge or penalty
state officials tried to lay a tax on merchandise sold over the Internet
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in prepared
to make ready in advance
she's laying plans for the charity auction months ahead of time
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in applied
to put a layer of on a surface
the mason laid mortar over the first row of bricks before starting the second
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in bet
to risk (something) on the outcome of an uncertain event
I'll lay five dollars that you can't do it
Synonyms & Similar Words
7
as in ascribed
to explain (something) as being the result of something else
an electrical fire that was laid to faulty wiring
Synonyms & Similar Words
8
as in buried
to place (a dead body) in the earth, a tomb, or the sea
lay the corpse to rest
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of laid
But with Spokane creating little offensively, Andema laid the ball off along his own end line to defender Moussa Ndiaye to start a chaotic sequence that ended with the ball in the back of Boise’s net.
—
Idaho Statesman, 5 Apr. 2026
In January, the couple lost their first clutch of eggs laid during the 2025-2026 breeding season after ravens breached their nest.
—Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2026
Bissan, who has spent the last 2 1/2 years in Egypt, had been one of 33 premature babies trapped inside the Al Shifa hospital as the Israeli military laid siege to it in November 2023.
—Dragana Jovanovic, ABC News, 4 Apr. 2026
In February, Jackie laid her third egg of the season and a few days later, laid a fourth.
—Chelsea Hylton, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
Cases that are known to the public have laid bare some of the extreme measures criminals have taken to extract the victims’ funds.
—Megan Cassidy, San Francisco Chronicle, 3 Apr. 2026
So there were little details here and there, but like Nick said, the original is so well structured that the foundation was already laid for us.
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 3 Apr. 2026
Ford Racing factory driver Frédéric Vervisch laid the lap down yesterday, but waited until today—April 2nd—to share the story, lest anybody wonder whether this was a genuine effort, rather than some attempt at an April Fool’s gag teasing a forthcoming GT revival.
—Byron Hurd, The Drive, 2 Apr. 2026
This is the theme of the episode, and the groundwork is laid early with the mini-challenge.
—Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 28 Mar. 2026
Idaho Statesman, 5 Apr. 2026
In January, the couple lost their first clutch of eggs laid during the 2025-2026 breeding season after ravens breached their nest.
—Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2026
Bissan, who has spent the last 2 1/2 years in Egypt, had been one of 33 premature babies trapped inside the Al Shifa hospital as the Israeli military laid siege to it in November 2023.
—Dragana Jovanovic, ABC News, 4 Apr. 2026
In February, Jackie laid her third egg of the season and a few days later, laid a fourth.
—Chelsea Hylton, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
Cases that are known to the public have laid bare some of the extreme measures criminals have taken to extract the victims’ funds.
—Megan Cassidy, San Francisco Chronicle, 3 Apr. 2026
So there were little details here and there, but like Nick said, the original is so well structured that the foundation was already laid for us.
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 3 Apr. 2026
Ford Racing factory driver Frédéric Vervisch laid the lap down yesterday, but waited until today—April 2nd—to share the story, lest anybody wonder whether this was a genuine effort, rather than some attempt at an April Fool’s gag teasing a forthcoming GT revival.
—Byron Hurd, The Drive, 2 Apr. 2026
This is the theme of the episode, and the groundwork is laid early with the mini-challenge.
—Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 28 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for laid
Verb
-
Simply put, there’s no way that your husband won’t have to deal with this.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Apr. 2026
-
At this point, as one aide put it, Tisza is Magyar, and Magyar is Tisza.—
Kapil Komireddi,
New Yorker,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
As the oil settled, centuries of growth were undone.—
Jeffrey Marlow,
New Yorker,
5 Apr. 2026
-
By morning, nearly six inches of fresh Colorado powder had settled over the car, frosting its sharp lines and futuristic shape like confectioner’s sugar on a pastry.—
Sponsored Content,
Denver Post,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Meanwhile, those imposed under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 — intended to target specific imports that threaten national security — remain in place.—
Laya Neelakandan,
CNBC,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Because the price hikes were found to be imposed without providing customers with valid justifications, the court ruled that the new prices are invalid and ordered Netflix to refund affected subscribers.—
Scharon Harding,
ArsTechnica,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Producer Shannon -- my right arm -- was by the kitchen sink, getting the video equipment prepared for a long day of work.—
Shafiq Najib,
ABC News,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Seasonal allergy symptoms come to an end with the first freeze in the colder months, so be prepared for a sniffly spring and summer.—
Hali Smith
April 7,
Idaho Statesman,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
As it’s applied today, the law allows trial attorneys to prey on the state’s small and mid-sized businesses — filing frivolous, costly lawsuits over even the most minor violation of California’s complex labor code.—
Tom Manzo,
Oc Register,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Ramos is eligible for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals and applied, but the program remains halted for new applicants after a yearlong battle in court that challenges the program.—
Armando Garcia,
ABC News,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Masters, season’s first of four golf majors, tees off Thursday at Augusta anyway with Scottie Scheffler (ho hum) the betting favorite per DraftKings followed by Jon Rahm, Rory McIlroy and Bryson DeChambeau.—
Greg Cote
April 5,
Miami Herald,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Desmond is betting on his local record to give him an edge.—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
At the start of the year, Jacob Elordi sat on the Jimmy Kimmel sofa to promote Wuthering Heights, wearing a pair of off-white Bottega Veneta loafers that were not quite ballet flats, but ascribed to this hybrid style (though many users compared them to ballet flats online).—
Jack Stanley,
Vogue,
31 Mar. 2026
-
In his book Deep Blues (1981), music historian Robert Palmer ascribed Robert Johnson’s excellent guitar-playing talent to a dedicated practice of the craft after coming under the wing of fellow musician Ike Zinneman (or Zimmerman).—
René Ostberg,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Crumbled sidewalks were replaced by planks that covered the sludge that concealed the ancient wood fretwork that buried the bones of the metropolis and its people.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Neither the bull nor the cowboy gave in, and they were buried together, so the song goes.—
Josh Crutchmer,
Rolling Stone,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Laid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/laid. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.
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