1
as in to 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
3
as in to impose
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 to prepare
to make ready in advance
she's laying plans for the charity auction months ahead of time
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in to spread
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
7
as in to ascribe
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 to bury
to place (a dead body) in the earth, a tomb, or the sea
lay the corpse to rest
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
as in ballad
a short musical composition for the human voice often with instrumental accompaniment
she sang a short lay in dedication to her husband
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in work
the activity by which one regularly makes a living
my main lay is as a general contractor, but I do side work as a carpenter
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in godless
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of lay
Susan-Elizabeth Littlefield, CBS News, 15 Feb. 2026
Mohamed Amoura broke the deadlock for Wolfsburg early in the second half after Adam Daghim surged past Max Finkgräfe and Nicolas Seiwald before laying the ball back.
—ABC News, 15 Feb. 2026
John E. Jones Iii, The Conversation, 5 Sep. 2025
Not having to change planes en route to Singapore is a major perk for travelers hoping to catch some sleep on the long-haul international flight — especially those in business class, who can take advantage of SIA’s plush leather seats that convert into lay-flat beds.
—Elizabeth Brownfield, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lay
Verb
But after surviving a stroke several years ago, that accomplishment paled in comparison to what laid ahead.
—Susan-Elizabeth Littlefield, CBS News, 15 Feb. 2026
Mohamed Amoura broke the deadlock for Wolfsburg early in the second half after Adam Daghim surged past Max Finkgräfe and Nicolas Seiwald before laying the ball back.
—ABC News, 15 Feb. 2026
Adjective
The meaning is not something that a lay person can necessarily intuit.
—John E. Jones Iii, The Conversation, 5 Sep. 2025
Not having to change planes en route to Singapore is a major perk for travelers hoping to catch some sleep on the long-haul international flight — especially those in business class, who can take advantage of SIA’s plush leather seats that convert into lay-flat beds.
—Elizabeth Brownfield, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lay
Verb
-
Mountbatten-Windsor put his arm around Giuffre with Maxwell standing close, smiling.—
Kim Hjelmgaard,
USA Today,
20 Feb. 2026
-
But the table is so congested that putting any kind of winning run together could make a real difference while the teams above them are distracted by European commitments.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The Trojans eventually settled in on offense, but their stifling defense would have to lead the way throughout.—
Ryan Kartje,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
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The former duchess reportedly owed Johnny O’Sullivan a little under £100,000, which Epstein helped her settle after her bankruptcy in 2010.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Among the documents is an email exchange from 2009 in which Mandelson appears to discuss Britain’s plans to impose an additional tax on bankers’ bonuses as a punitive, one-off measure following the crash.—
Lauren Kent,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
-
While courts last imposed a death sentence in 2016, South Korea has not carried out an execution since 1997.—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The group is preparing to study microplastics in the lake.—
TRAVIS LOLLER,
Arkansas Online,
16 Feb. 2026
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This seasonal dip requires just 10 minutes of hands-on time and can be prepared a few days in advance of serving.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
As word spread on social media, Ozzy Osbourne stopped by.—
Danielle Paquette The Washington Post,
Arkansas Online,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Malliotakis has a history of spreading misleading information and incendiary lies tying immigrants to crimes, despite data showing immigrants commit crimes at far lower rates than others.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Silver also admitted the overwhelming size of this task, given that roughly 80 countries allow betting on the NBA while billions more are wagered illegally.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
15 Feb. 2026
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Going into a potential big-screen crossover, Disney and 20th Century Studios could decide to bet big on the biggest space horror showdown ever.—
Fran Ruiz,
Space.com,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
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And to dust off some golden-oldie phraseology that fans, friends and media often ascribe to great athletes who’ve made epic falls, Ilia Malinin will be back.—
Steve Buckley,
New York Times,
14 Feb. 2026
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However, the benefits the city has ascribed to data center development have not assuaged concerns about potential environmental harm.—
Devan Patel,
Mercury News,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Only one body was identified by a family, while the others were buried on Friday.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Feb. 2026
-
In a report published this month in Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences, a team from the Australian National University examined the tooth enamel of three individuals buried at the Dong Xa Iron Age burial site in Northern Vietnam.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Feb. 2026
Video
Lay vs. Lie
Editor Emily Brewster clarifies the difference.
Cite this Entry
“Lay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lay. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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