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 laic
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
Shivaram Rajgopal, Forbes.com, 17 May 2025
The documents in which these doctrines were proclaimed stressed that the bishops of the church had been consulted and that the faith of the lay people was being affirmed.
—Dennis Doyle, The Conversation, 8 May 2025
There is an undeniable appeal of AI in the complicated U.S. tax space that often overwhelms even tax professionals, let alone the lay person.
—Virginia La Torre Jeker, Forbes.com, 11 May 2025
Being in the highest tertile (one third for the lay person) of cardio health, Bhatt said, will add close to a decade to your life.
—John Werner, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lay
Verb
The actual overhead reimbursement process is complicated The doctor states that the actual process is much more complicated than how the lay public and even the informed commentators think of the problem.
—Shivaram Rajgopal, Forbes.com, 17 May 2025
The documents in which these doctrines were proclaimed stressed that the bishops of the church had been consulted and that the faith of the lay people was being affirmed.
—Dennis Doyle, The Conversation, 8 May 2025
There is an undeniable appeal of AI in the complicated U.S. tax space that often overwhelms even tax professionals, let alone the lay person.
—Virginia La Torre Jeker, Forbes.com, 11 May 2025
Being in the highest tertile (one third for the lay person) of cardio health, Bhatt said, will add close to a decade to your life.
—John Werner, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lay
Verb
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This new exposure puts her back on CW’s radar, and vice versa.—
Dennis Harvey,
Variety,
7 Aug. 2025
-
It's been a nice little homecoming to a role that really put me on the map.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
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All of these should be allowed to settle almost to the bottom before the retrieve is begun.—
Anthony A. Ciuffa,
Outdoor Life,
7 Aug. 2025
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While the pair have been settled in Los Angeles together for years now, Jonathan opened up to PEOPLE about the possibility of relocating out to the country.—
Natalia Senanayake,
People.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The decision was obvious to American sports lawyers, given that American courts reached the same conclusion as to similar restraints imposed by its sports leagues decades ago.—
Chris Deubert,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
-
When Trump threatened to impose tariffs, the Mexican government made the concession of not just sending troops to the border and to cities like Culiacán, but of also allowing the U.S. military to fly in Mexican airspace.—
Jesse Hyde,
Rolling Stone,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Build Career Advisors and Internal Learning Paths Create roles or programs that help employees explore new functions, assess transferable skills and prepare for moves.—
Vibhas Ratanjee,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
-
While many of the cuts go into effect in 2028, the company is preparing for the loss of funds now.—
Marina Johnson,
The Courier-Journal,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Blazes have spread across southern Europe in recent days.—
Laura Paddison,
CNN Money,
12 Aug. 2025
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Firefighters from Evergreen, Smith Valley and Whitefish assisted Kalispell crews in dousing flames that spread to adjacent grass.—
Greg Wehner,
FOXNews.com,
12 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Carriers that bet on a blockbuster year were left disappointed earlier in 2025 when consumers weighed President Donald Trump's on-again, off-again tariffs and economic uncertainty.—
Leslie Josephs,
CNBC,
15 Aug. 2025
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Sports betting operators have no influence over newsroom coverage.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Shifts in language and attitude are usually the first signs your son may be ascribing to red pill ideology.—
Sherri Gordon,
Parents,
29 July 2025
-
The company ascribed the decline to an ongoing slump in vehicle deliveries and falling prices (trends that were not helped by Musk’s involvement in partisan politics) as well as declining revenue from environmental credits.—
Jessica Mathews,
Fortune,
24 July 2025
Verb
-
If a body is here, whoever buried it didn’t bother digging deep, because there’s no fear of getting caught.—
Jesse Hyde,
Rolling Stone,
7 Aug. 2025
-
YouTube siphons up to 45% of ad revenue; Spotify pays artists less than a penny per stream; TikTok’s algorithm can bury a post without warning.—
Tomer Warschauer Nuni,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
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 Aug. 2025.
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