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
While much of the worst damage had been cleared, in some places, power lines still hung low over roads and laid strewn about in parking lots.
—
Arkansas Online, 7 Feb. 2026
There are speeches, and wreaths are laid.
—Andy Mitten, New York Times, 7 Feb. 2026
Before Argentina’s World Cup victory in 2022, the nation laid claim to two previous World Cups, winning in 1978 and 1986.
—Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 6 Feb. 2026
The early 1900s saw an influx of Scandinavian and Finnish immigrants who were socialists and farm-labor organizers, who shaped or laid the groundwork for today’s progressive political stance.
—Literary Hub, 5 Feb. 2026
They can be laid flat or half-buried to form a solid border edge.
—Peg Aloi, The Spruce, 5 Feb. 2026
During the Cold War, advances in electronic imaging sensors laid the groundwork for cameras that could record pictures without film.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 4 Feb. 2026
Mystical men laid white sheets and a bright pink blanket and pillows inside a gold palanquin and strung it with marigolds and white jasmine flowers.
—Norma Meyer, Oc Register, 4 Feb. 2026
The vivid naturalism achieved in these works was not seen for another millennium, and is often more credited to artists living during the late Middle Ages, including Cimabue and Giotto, who laid the groundwork for the Renaissance.
—Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 31 Jan. 2026
Arkansas Online, 7 Feb. 2026
There are speeches, and wreaths are laid.
—Andy Mitten, New York Times, 7 Feb. 2026
Before Argentina’s World Cup victory in 2022, the nation laid claim to two previous World Cups, winning in 1978 and 1986.
—Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 6 Feb. 2026
The early 1900s saw an influx of Scandinavian and Finnish immigrants who were socialists and farm-labor organizers, who shaped or laid the groundwork for today’s progressive political stance.
—Literary Hub, 5 Feb. 2026
They can be laid flat or half-buried to form a solid border edge.
—Peg Aloi, The Spruce, 5 Feb. 2026
During the Cold War, advances in electronic imaging sensors laid the groundwork for cameras that could record pictures without film.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 4 Feb. 2026
Mystical men laid white sheets and a bright pink blanket and pillows inside a gold palanquin and strung it with marigolds and white jasmine flowers.
—Norma Meyer, Oc Register, 4 Feb. 2026
The vivid naturalism achieved in these works was not seen for another millennium, and is often more credited to artists living during the late Middle Ages, including Cimabue and Giotto, who laid the groundwork for the Renaissance.
—Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 31 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for laid
Verb
-
The couple heard police on a loudspeaker tell someone to put his weapon down and end the situation peacefully shortly before the helicopter arrived.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
6 Feb. 2026
-
McMillan, taken eighth overall by the Panthers in last year’s NFL Draft, put together a rookie campaign with 70 receptions (122 targets) for 1,014 yards and seven touchdowns.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
After a thrilling last two minutes that included a steal and a coast-to-coast dunk from Eric Reibe, the score settled at 39-all at halftime after six lead changes and four ties.—
Joe Arruda,
Hartford Courant,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Malinin planned to open with his quad axel in combination with a triple toe loop but settled for only a quad flip.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
At the 60-second mark is a quick scene of two primates with the Obamas' smiling faces imposed on them.—
BILL BARROW,
Arkansas Online,
7 Feb. 2026
-
The United Nations imposed sanctions on Seif al-Islam that included a travel ban and an assets freeze for his inflammatory public statements encouraging violence against anti-Gadhafi protesters during the 2011 uprising.—
Yousef Murad,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The announcement came as the British government prepared legislation to eject Mandelson from the House of Lords and remove the noble title, Lord Mandelson, that came with his seat in the chamber.—
Jill Lawless,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Besides Cherfilus-McCormick and her brother Edwin, Nadege Leblanc, a staffer for the congresswoman, is a defendant in the case, as is David Spencer, who prepared the congresswoman’s tax return for 2021.—
David Lyons,
Sun Sentinel,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Whether analysts value that outcome as a $10 reduction in individual risk added up across everyone, or as a $10 million value directly applied to the life saved is mathematically identical.—
James Broughel,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Almost immediately after oversight of TikTok’s US operations changed, misinformation started to spread about changes to the app’s new terms of service, including those that applied to location sharing and data collection, Fiesler said.—
Scottie Andrew,
CNN Money,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Takaichi was betting with this election that her LDP party, together with its new partner, the JIP, would secure a majority.—
MARI YAMAGUCHI,
Arkansas Online,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Takaichi was betting that her LDP party, together with its new partner, the JIP, would secure a majority.—
Mari Yamaguchi,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
This can be ascribed to a revenue decrease in Q3 2025 tied to accounting modifications and a significant uptick in professional liability reserves.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
16 Jan. 2026
-
The loss may be ascribed to poor judgement but with no bad intent.—
Edward Lotterman,
Twin Cities,
7 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Some years ago, The Andrea, a seasonal seafood restaurant on the west end of Misquamicut Beach in Westerly, posted a black-and-white photo on Facebook showing a line of cars buried in the sand.—
Kathleen Hill,
The Providence Journal,
7 Feb. 2026
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The bottle’s survival through two World Wars, the Great Depression and a century buried in a cellar is exceptional.—
Pin Yen Tan 9 min ago,
CNN Money,
6 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Laid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/laid. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.
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