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
  • The bat might have gone higher than the 25-degree launch angle on his homer.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Known internally as the Five Guys Games, the competition has since gone global.
    — Mya Copeland, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of gone
Verb
  • 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
  • Some of the greatest shows on Earth these days are coming from the road warriors who’ve been out there the longest.
    — Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of been
Verb
  • The Biden administration subsequently extended the designation, most recently in January 2025, when DHS authorized an additional 18 months of protection through October 2026.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The next sheriff’s election will not be held until 2028 because of a change in state law that extended his term from four years to six.
    — Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 19 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
  • Northern Gritstone led the round and was joined by Parkwalk Northern Universities Venture Fund, UK Innovation & Science Seed Fund, Wren Capital, and angel investors.
    — Allie Garfinkle, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026
  • That extension, coupled with Kalshi’s rehearing petitions, has led the gaming industry to believe the company lacks confidence in its case.
    — Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of led
Verb
  • Cybersecurity experts told Fortune that unpatched systems could let hackers run code remotely, which puts websites and sensitive data at risk.
    — Diane Brady, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026
  • At the racetrack, the horses ran, and Crawford hosted members at the Ruidoso Jockey Club, where private tables cost as much as six figures.
    — Abe Streep, ProPublica, 21 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 23 Oct. 2026.

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