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
In an Old Florida twist, Brightline runs along some of the same railways that were knitted together by Henry Flagler in the late 19th and early 20th century—the ones that laid the groundwork for the state’s present-day tourism industry.
—
Skye Sherman, Travel + Leisure, 13 Jan. 2026
Buffalo, New York’s Anchor Bar has laid its claim to the most famous chicken wing in America, but as with many beloved creations, the history is not so linear.
—Matt Moore, Southern Living, 13 Jan. 2026
All but seven of of the massive turbines have been mounted on top of pilings driven into the sea floor, and transmission cables have been laid to connect the project to onshore substations, according to court filings.
—John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 13 Jan. 2026
Other videos published on social media have shown the dead zipped up in black body bags, laid outdoors for families to claim.
—Robin Wright, New Yorker, 13 Jan. 2026
Star New England Patriots defensive lineman Milton Williams laid some big hits against the Los Angeles Chargers.
—Matt Schooley, CBS News, 12 Jan. 2026
From Kendrick Lamar’s bootcut jeans to Alexander Skarsgård’s kinky Pillion press tour looks, last year laid the groundwork for experimentation in a market that’s famously slower and less trend driven than women’s fashion.
—Lucy Maguire, Vogue, 12 Jan. 2026
Then Elliss sprinted to fall on the ball, got up and ran toward the nearest end zone in celebration, all while Herbert laid flat on his back and clutched his chest plate with both hands.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 12 Jan. 2026
That research laid the foundation for studying blood-loss control.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 7 Jan. 2026
Skye Sherman, Travel + Leisure, 13 Jan. 2026
Buffalo, New York’s Anchor Bar has laid its claim to the most famous chicken wing in America, but as with many beloved creations, the history is not so linear.
—Matt Moore, Southern Living, 13 Jan. 2026
All but seven of of the massive turbines have been mounted on top of pilings driven into the sea floor, and transmission cables have been laid to connect the project to onshore substations, according to court filings.
—John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 13 Jan. 2026
Other videos published on social media have shown the dead zipped up in black body bags, laid outdoors for families to claim.
—Robin Wright, New Yorker, 13 Jan. 2026
Star New England Patriots defensive lineman Milton Williams laid some big hits against the Los Angeles Chargers.
—Matt Schooley, CBS News, 12 Jan. 2026
From Kendrick Lamar’s bootcut jeans to Alexander Skarsgård’s kinky Pillion press tour looks, last year laid the groundwork for experimentation in a market that’s famously slower and less trend driven than women’s fashion.
—Lucy Maguire, Vogue, 12 Jan. 2026
Then Elliss sprinted to fall on the ball, got up and ran toward the nearest end zone in celebration, all while Herbert laid flat on his back and clutched his chest plate with both hands.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 12 Jan. 2026
That research laid the foundation for studying blood-loss control.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 7 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for laid
Verb
-
Gonzales said the situation in Minneapolis, with protesters attempting to interfere in federal immigration operations, has put the United States in an inflection point.—
Anna Giaritelli,
The Washington Examiner,
16 Jan. 2026
-
Ford expects to put the first few laps on its new Le Mans challenger in Q3, several months before the team’s maiden race in Qatar in March 2027.—
Jerry Perez,
The Drive,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Frederick Gaudreau sent a backhand pass from the left side near the boards to Tolvanen in front, and settled the puck and beat Quick at the 1-minute mark.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
13 Jan. 2026
-
After narrowing down a list of famous people in and outside the business world, Blumberg and his team settled on 15 names, including Buffett, Oprah Winfrey, and the late Steve Jobs.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The judge also sentenced him to five years of supervised release and imposed a $500,000 fine against him — the maximum fine allowable.—
Sarah Jones,
PEOPLE,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Last year, China imposed several restrictions on the export of rare earth materials.—
Maydeen Merino,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action should flooding develop.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Officially called the Wage and Tax Statement, IRS Form W-2 is prepared by employers, who are required to send copies to their employees and to the IRS.—
Marley Malenfant,
Austin American Statesman,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Four of the candidates appeared on the November ballot, one previously applied for an interim position, and the remaining candidate, an independent, has an unclear political background in a city where being Republican is almost essential to run for office.—
Verónica Egui Brito,
Miami Herald,
13 Jan. 2026
-
The commission also emphasized that Verizon’s stricter unlocking obligations never applied industry-wide.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
To the critics, LaFleur is 2-3 in the playoffs as a betting favorite, tied for the worst win rate among 19 coaches with at least five such games this century.—
Mike Sando,
New York Times,
12 Jan. 2026
-
This time, a more emboldened administration appears to be betting that both fear and a show of force will be enough to quell a movement that has become fragmented and disillusioned through the years.—
Paola Ramos,
Time,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The loss may be ascribed to poor judgement but with no bad intent.—
Edward Lotterman,
Twin Cities,
7 Dec. 2025
-
Hanging coffins have historically been ascribed to the ancient Bo ethnic group, believed to have disappeared after the Ming Dynasty that ruled from 1368 to 1644 and leaving questions about its history.—
Hannah Millington,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Rescue workers searched on Friday for dozens of people buried under a mountain of garbage that collapsed at a landfill in the central Philippines, killing at least one.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Prince, who buried her 700th career point in the fourth quarter, scored 15 of her points in the second half after holding off a late surge from the Hoosiers (11-6, 0-5 Big Ten) in the third quarter.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Laid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/laid. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
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