lain

verb

Definition of lainnext
past participle of lie
1
as in gone
to be positioned along a certain course or in a certain direction the train tracks lie just over that hill

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in been
to occupy a place or location I left the book lying on the counter

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in hidden
to remain out of sight paparazzi were lying in wait outside the restaurant, a well-known celebrity hangout

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for lain
  1. gone
  2. been
  3. extended
  4. sat
  5. led
  6. run
Verb
  • Once the international visitors have gone home, the question is whether the stadiums and facilities will lie empty and fall into disrepair.
    — Martin K.N Siele, semafor.com, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Imagine a world where SpaceX had gone all in on developing a lunar lander.
    — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of gone
Verb
  • There’ve been so many games within the franchise, so many spin-offs.
    — K.J. Yossman, Variety, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Naperville residents who’ve been unable to use Book Road for most of the year will see a little relief once the stretch between 75th and 83rd streets reopens by month’s end.
    — Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of been
Verb
  • After Maduro was deposed, Venezuela's highest court said Rodríguez could serve as acting president for up to 90 days -- an interim appointment that could be extended by the National Assembly for an additional 90 days.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Outside of the Bronx, everybody hated the Yankees – until the 2001 World Series, when the nation’s sympathies were extended to the team in pinstripes.
    — Don Riddell, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of extended
Verb
  • This fine establishment has sat at the same address in the Williamsburg Bridge's shadow since 1887, and the interiors carry about as many frills as your average public house—dark wood, plaster walls, and so on.
    — Charlie Hobbs, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Dec. 2025
  • The birthday boy and his big sister Sterling Skye, 3, each sat between one of their parents’ laps.
    — Angel Saunders, People.com, 24 Dec. 2024
Definition of sat
Verb
  • The students led those protests before challenging and defeating Vucic at the early ballot on Sunday.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Kenya revealed details last month of a partnership with pan-African sports investment outfit Zaria Group — led by Dallas Mavericks President Masai Ujiri — to build a 10,000-seater indoor arena in Nairobi.
    — Martin K.N Siele, semafor.com, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of led
Verb
  • Thunder star Jalen Williams, the team’s second-leading scorer and best all-around defender during its title run two seasons ago, fractured a fibula and dislocated his left ankle in a gruesome injury Sunday.
    — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 29 Oct. 2026
  • The situation in Oleshky is desperate, with food and medical supplies running perilously low for the up to 2,000 people still there, as drones and land mines restrict movement.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of run
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.

Browse Nearby Words

laid up
lain
lain (down)
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lain. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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