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

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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
  • Bless Heidi, Winnie, and Nina for seemingly banding together to get Bobby voted out, and with Bobby gone, that leaves Anna as the only woman in the competition.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Valdez added a sacrifice fly in the fourth for Pittsburgh, who have gone 1-7 since the trade deadline.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of gone
Verb
  • Over the years, there’ve been so many different initiatives that then sprang out of these talks, which is another amazing thing.
    — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The special edition adds her to the scene, on a surface level flexing access to these men who’ve been movers and shakers across consecutive centuries, which could imply an artist seeing their own work on the same level.
    — Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 24 July 2026
Definition of been
Verb
  • So, Basabe laid out, extended his left arm, made contact with the ball — and sent it straight into right field.
    — Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Entering the second half, Atlanta kept the energy going and extended their lead to 25 points in the third quarter.
    — Micahya Costen, AJC.com, 11 Aug. 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
  • Detroit quarterback Joshua Dobbs, signed as a free agent on Monday, led the Lions to field goals on two of his three series.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
  • This news arrives two weeks after the club released their new away shirt, with the design process led by minority owner and former NFL superstar JJ Watt.
    — Andy Jones, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of led
Verb
  • Birds chirp from atop the towering oak trees, and the peacefully running fountains set the tone for a serenity that'll carry through your weekend.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Payton wanted his starters to see the field for roughly 15 plays in the preseason opener, but the Falcons ran only 13 plays on their first four possessions combined.
    — Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 15 Aug. 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 16 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on lain

Nglish: Translation of lain for Spanish Speakers

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