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
  • Since June 25, the club has gone 20-3 and turned its season around.
    — Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 24 July 2026
  • That has given Zavagnin a unique perspective on how soccer has gone from an afterthought to a vibrant part of Kansas City.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 24 July 2026
Definition of gone
Verb
  • 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
  • How electric has the atmosphere at Madison Square Garden been during the Finals, especially during and after Game 4’s comeback?
    — Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 13 June 2026
Definition of been
Verb
  • Ahead of the trophy celebrations, the Spanish extended an olive branch, providing a guard of honour to their opponents.
    — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 20 July 2026
  • The 14-day restraining order could be extended to as long as 28 days.
    — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 20 July 2026
Definition of extended
Verb
  • Levi Jones, a 33-year-old business owner, pulled up to Sacred Eye Tattoos in Hollywood last week and sat for eight hours getting a photorealistic black-and-white portrait of Mangione on his leg.
    — Amanda Rosa, Orlando Sentinel, 24 Dec. 2024
  • 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
  • Since becoming commissioner in 2019, Engelbert has led the WNBA into its most successful era.
    — Annie Costabile, New York Times, 24 July 2026
  • The maltreatment eventually led her to run away, later re-entering foster care.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 24 July 2026
Definition of led
Verb
  • The agency has also sent staff to Anson County to help run the elections office while the county searches for new leadership.
    — Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 25 July 2026
  • Kraus joined Sundance Square in 2021 to run the security division and has since expanded into strategic operations.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 July 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 26 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on lain

Nglish: Translation of lain for Spanish Speakers

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