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
Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 27 Apr. 2026
The royal couple attended a white-tie state dinner, visited the Children's National Medical Center and laid a wreath at the World War II Memorial.
—Kierra Frazier, CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026
Dan Piepenbring, New Yorker, 4 Feb. 2026
Delbarton publicly acknowledged in 2018 that at least 30 men had come forward with allegations that, over three decades, 13 past or current priests and monks at the school had victimized them — in addition to a lay faculty member who is now retired.
—Corky Siemaszko, NBC news, 16 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lay
Verb
Charlotte prioritizing health and cohesion The months ahead will be spent in the weight room, building toward the daily grind of fall camp, but the foundation was laid this spring.
—Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 27 Apr. 2026
The royal couple attended a white-tie state dinner, visited the Children's National Medical Center and laid a wreath at the World War II Memorial.
—Kierra Frazier, CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
Both memoirs prepare the lay gambler for a world of gruelling, bruising defeats and unglamorous back-of-the-envelope calculus.
—Dan Piepenbring, New Yorker, 4 Feb. 2026
Delbarton publicly acknowledged in 2018 that at least 30 men had come forward with allegations that, over three decades, 13 past or current priests and monks at the school had victimized them — in addition to a lay faculty member who is now retired.
—Corky Siemaszko, NBC news, 16 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lay
Verb
-
The Spurs led for the entire game and led by as many as 28 points to put the series away on Tuesday.—
Dan Santaromita,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
-
More willing to put the collective goal of winning a title above all else.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
Let what surfaces settle before making your next move.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
1 May 2026
-
Moses could put his real game face on and settle into his pre-race routine—even if a bit rushed—to get Pal in the zone, and then send him off into the Valley of Roses to pick up his jockey, then on to the starting gate.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The metaphor perfectly fits the 6-foot-5 Jordan, who casts an imposing figure on the mound.—
Patrick Z. McGavin,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The proposal would impose a one-time tax of up to 5% on taxpayers and trusts with assets valued at more than $1 billion, with some exclusions, such as property.—
Queenie Wong,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Alegría credited the pair’s experienced producing partners with helping guide them through the most unfamiliar process of preparing for the final cut and getting ready for the marketing, press, distribution conversations with Amazon as well as FilmNation.—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
4 May 2026
-
This did not prepare me for Salt Tree.—
Anna Wiener,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
The rest of the property radiates outwards from here, incorporating four restaurants, rooms and suites spread across a number of individual low-rise blocks, the Conrad Spa, and meeting and events space.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Severe weather continues into Monday On Monday, the severe weather threat spreads northeast and stretches from the lower Mississippi River Valley up to the Midwest.—
Kyle Reiman,
ABC News,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Russell, 28, entered the season as the betting-odds favorite to win the title.—
Sahil Kapur,
NBC news,
3 May 2026
-
Thunder, Spurs and Knicks and 1-2-3- in current title betting odds.—
Greg Cote
May 3,
Miami Herald,
3 May 2026
Verb
-
So proving this equivalence would instantly confirm much of the topological power that Bar-Natan and van der Veen ascribe to their new invariant.—
Erica Klarreich,
Quanta Magazine,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Another Readymade ascribed to Rrose, Fresh Widow (1920), features a scale model of a French window with panels of black leather covering the glass.—
Howard Halle,
ARTnews.com,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Feeling for a lump is nearly impossible, since the pancreas is buried deep in the abdomen.—
Aria Bendix,
NBC news,
2 May 2026
-
Graves are dug by hand and bodies are only buried in caskets or shrouds made of biodegradable materials like bamboo or cotton.—
Dorany Pineda,
Fortune,
2 May 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 5 May. 2026.
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