laid

past tense of lay
1
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
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5
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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

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of laid The pregnant widow of Oakland County Sheriff’s Deputy Bradley Reckling stood at a podium last year and laid the blame for her husband’s death, at least in part, on a judge. Darcie Moran, Freep.com, 30 Aug. 2025 This laid back set from Brixton would match perfectly with the Cinnamon Apple Indica Gummies from Chill Country Cannabis. Emily Earlenbaugh, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025 Maurice laid his spoon close in. Ben East, Outdoor Life, 28 Aug. 2025 This quickly developing sense of another person’s consciousness, and a desire to connect with it, could have laid the groundwork for language acquisition. Elissa Strauss, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2025 Maricela Torres laid a bouquet of flowers before a life-size sculpture of the Virgin Mary and knelt to the ground at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Des Plaines. Paulina Czupryna, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2025 The failure that followed—marked by FEMA's slowness and disorganization—laid bare systemic neglect and inequities, the scars of which still run deep in Louisiana, Mississippi, and beyond. Arick Wierson, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Aug. 2025 In 1872, Alexandra, then also the Princess of Wales, laid the foundation stone of the older hospital building and sealed a time capsule, which contained a copy of The Times and a photo of Queen Victoria. Meredith Kile, People.com, 28 Aug. 2025 So is Blood of My Blood‘s second main thread, in which the machinations of Clan Mackenzie are laid bare. Graham Hillard, The Washington Examiner, 22 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for laid
Verb
  • Trailing by 14 points, Charlotte needed a touchdown to get back in the game, and as Albin said, put some heat on the Tar Heels.
    Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 7 Sep. 2025
  • In the first inning as the Blue Jays wore down the Yankees by putting balls in play and fouling off pitches, Judge was tested for the first time on a single by Nathan Lukes.
    Larry Fleisher, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • In January, Giuliani settled a defamation case brought by two Georgia election workers.
    Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 1 Sep. 2025
  • The Bulldogs had 98 yards of offense in the first quarter but hurt their chances to take a lead with a series of penalties before the Razorbacks’ defense settled into the game.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 31 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The court imposed a 31-month prison sentence on Connolly.
    Benjamin Weinthal, FOXNews.com, 7 Sep. 2025
  • To see armed soldiers patrolling there is to see force imposed on a place built for conversation, exchange and civic trust.
    Eric Chastain, Twin Cities, 7 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Grab these early Halloween deals now so you can be prepared when October 31st rolls around.
    Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Here, these dishes are prepared with less sauce (not a bad thing) and overall salt than at Taipei South, despite having the same ownership.
    Shindy Chen, Charlotte Observer, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Remove any yellowing with a paste of lemon juice and baking soda applied to affected areas.
    Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Credits will be automatically applied to upcoming PG&E bills for electricity used in August.
    Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 7 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Boumedienne could theoretically depart college after two seasons and sign in the AHL at just 19 years old, betting on himself early — again.
    Murat Ates, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Though the recession odds rose intra-week, the betting odds held steady week-over-week.
    Bill Stone, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • While lower rates do result in a higher present value being ascribed to future earnings, the current growth names, largely tied to the AI investment trade, have proven their ability to grow regardless of the interest rate environment.
    Zev Fima, CNBC, 21 Aug. 2025
  • Marco Rubio, then five days into his tenure as Secretary of State, ascribed the release of the prisoner to Trump’s leadership and, in a tweet, thanked Smith for facilitating it.
    Simon Shuster, Time, 8 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Growing up during the Lebanese Civil War, famed architect and designer Aline Asmar d’Amman was often cozied in her room, her nose buried in a book to dampen the noise from the bombs outside.
    Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Gomez and Morticia buried him, but kept his disembodied hand, which eventually became Thing (Victor Dorobantu).
    Selome Hailu, Variety, 4 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Laid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/laid. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

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