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
The Stars’ other major trade pickup, Tyler Myers, was in street clothes for Game 6 after a ghastly Game 5 performance in which at least two, if not three, Minnesota goals could be laid partially at his feet.
—
Michael Russo, New York Times, 1 May 2026
By the early 20th century, the development of trains, caterpillar tracks, tractors, and automobiles laid the foundations for the first battle tanks.
—Matthew S Williams, Interesting Engineering, 1 May 2026
The winner will advance to face the New York Knicks, who laid waste to the Atlanta Hawks, 140-89, in a Game 6 clincher earlier Thursday night.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 1 May 2026
But the study laid the groundwork for current research into whether these changes show up before symptoms.
—Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 1 May 2026
The chicks were part of the second clutch Jackie laid this year.
—Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 1 May 2026
There, the royals laid a wreath and posy at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to honor the fallen and the military partnership between the United Kingdom and the United States, but a problem was spotted with the Union Jack flag on parade.
—Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 1 May 2026
Cal and Stanford laid quasi-claim to two of the top two selections in the 2026 NFL Draft, although the connection was indirect and somewhat bittersweet in both cases.
—Jon Wilner, Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2026
The scenic seaside town was once a hub for members of France’s high society who preferred something more laid back than the glitzy Cote d’Azur in the east, and a casual atmosphere still persists here, thanks in part to the surf culture that has propagated over the years.
—Monica Mendal, Vogue, 24 Apr. 2026
Michael Russo, New York Times, 1 May 2026
By the early 20th century, the development of trains, caterpillar tracks, tractors, and automobiles laid the foundations for the first battle tanks.
—Matthew S Williams, Interesting Engineering, 1 May 2026
The winner will advance to face the New York Knicks, who laid waste to the Atlanta Hawks, 140-89, in a Game 6 clincher earlier Thursday night.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 1 May 2026
But the study laid the groundwork for current research into whether these changes show up before symptoms.
—Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 1 May 2026
The chicks were part of the second clutch Jackie laid this year.
—Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 1 May 2026
There, the royals laid a wreath and posy at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to honor the fallen and the military partnership between the United Kingdom and the United States, but a problem was spotted with the Union Jack flag on parade.
—Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 1 May 2026
Cal and Stanford laid quasi-claim to two of the top two selections in the 2026 NFL Draft, although the connection was indirect and somewhat bittersweet in both cases.
—Jon Wilner, Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2026
The scenic seaside town was once a hub for members of France’s high society who preferred something more laid back than the glitzy Cote d’Azur in the east, and a casual atmosphere still persists here, thanks in part to the surf culture that has propagated over the years.
—Monica Mendal, Vogue, 24 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for laid
Verb
-
The Spurs led for the entire game and led by as many as 28 points to put the series away on Tuesday.—
Dan Santaromita,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
-
More willing to put the collective goal of winning a title above all else.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
Aided by the cushion of a 3-0 lead, after a home run by Kinon Bastian, a wild pitch and an RBI double by Xavier Johnson in the third inning, Arafet settled into a groove and relied on his arm, and the Royals went on to win 4-1 to earn a two-game sweep in the best-of-three series.—
Chris Hays,
The Orlando Sentinel,
3 May 2026
-
Maple has even settled in at third in the batting order.—
Rick Armstrong,
Chicago Tribune,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
Last year, federal prosecutors dropped the case after an appeals court threw out a sizable fine imposed by a lower court.—
CBS Miami Team,
CBS News,
1 May 2026
-
The statement underscores the ideological intensity imposed on North Korean forces, whose loyalty to the regime appears to extend beyond combat to self-destruction.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
Don’t leave without ordering the bread pudding for dessert, which is prepared in a deep fryer and is the perfect consistency.—
Anna Katherine Clemmons,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The proposal would burden doctors with giving parents a highly detailed consent statement to be prepared by boards of medicine and osteopathic medicine, and forbid health authorities to order vaccinations during outbreaks of familiar or new deadly diseases.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Computer science major Ben Aybar, 22, graduated last spring from the University of Chicago and applied for about 50 jobs, mostly in software engineering, without getting a single interview.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Anxiety also reaches computer science majors Computer science major Ben Aybar, 22, graduated last spring from the University of Chicago and applied for about 50 jobs, mostly in software engineering, without getting a single interview.—
Jocelyn Gecker,
Fortune,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Russell, 28, entered the season as the betting-odds favorite to win the title.—
Sahil Kapur,
NBC news,
3 May 2026
-
Thunder, Spurs and Knicks and 1-2-3- in current title betting odds.—
Greg Cote
May 3,
Miami Herald,
3 May 2026
Verb
-
Another Readymade ascribed to Rrose, Fresh Widow (1920), features a scale model of a French window with panels of black leather covering the glass.—
Howard Halle,
ARTnews.com,
10 Apr. 2026
-
In 2023, an agency spokeswoman even ascribed the blame in part to holidays.—
Andres Viglucci,
Miami Herald,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In a traditional Japanese handle, a wa-style handle, the tang thins out into a strip of metal that’s completely buried in a cylindrical or octagonal wood handle.—
Jesse Raub,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
1 May 2026
-
Before the war, the regime buried or otherwise concealed the rest of its missiles and launchers, according to two of the sources.—
Kayla Hayempour,
NBC news,
1 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Laid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/laid. Accessed 5 May. 2026.
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