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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of lay
Brooke Schedneck, The Conversation, 27 Mar. 2025
Professional societies, meetings, the lay press and websites are all valuable sources of information.
—Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Apr. 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
Beyond lay undulating dunes and sand mountains.
—Sue Mead, Popular Science, 13 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lay
Adjective
The lay community provides for monks and temples, in exchange for the spiritual currency of merit, which is believed to turn into good karma.
—Brooke Schedneck, The Conversation, 27 Mar. 2025
Professional societies, meetings, the lay press and websites are all valuable sources of information.
—Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Apr. 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
Beyond lay undulating dunes and sand mountains.
—Sue Mead, Popular Science, 13 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lay
Verb
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The last time Florida put a zero on the board through three periods?—
Adam Beasley,
Miami Herald,
17 May 2025
-
Today, one extraordinary dining concept can put an entire region on the map for our clientele.—
Rebecca Ann Hughes,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2025
Verb
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Have all the evidentiary issues been settled? Not entirely.—
Jorge L. Ortiz,
USA Today,
17 May 2025
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Paramount owner Shari Redstone wants to settle with Trump, The New York Times reported, citing unnamed sources.—
Sara Dorn,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2025
Verb
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The law imposes civil penalties and mandates back pay and benefits for noncompliance.—
Alonzo Martinez,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2025
-
In Game 6, the Nuggets, already playing a short rotation, finally decided to impose their will physically on a young Thunder team.—
Kelly Iko,
New York Times,
16 May 2025
Verb
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Several media outlets reported earlier this month that the Trump administration was preparing releasing the full audio.—
Sarah D. Wire,
USA Today,
18 May 2025
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How to prepare before strong winds approach Trim tree branches away from your house and power lines.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
17 May 2025
Verb
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The Bidens announced Sunday the 46th president was battling an aggressive form of prostate cancer that had spread to his bones.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
20 May 2025
-
Stages 3 and 4, when the tumor has spread beyond the borders of the prostate, are considered more advanced and high risk.—
Luisel Ricks-Santi,
The Conversation,
20 May 2025
Verb
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The fact that GitHub is betting on Claude rather than a model from its parent company Microsoft (which has close ties to OpenAI) suggests Anthropic has built something genuinely competitive.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
22 May 2025
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An interactive attraction showing in Oakland until Sept. 28 is betting, yes indeed.—
Randy McMullen,
Mercury News,
22 May 2025
Verb
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As a form bending, multi-disciplinary artist influenced by the Black Arts movement, Williams ascribes art as functional often using his platform to shed light on Cop Cities across the country, critique both American political parties and decry war and genocide.—
Nia Shumake,
Essence,
15 May 2025
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An Instagram account ascribed to Lanez said the rapper was stabbed 14 times — including seven wounds to his back, four to his torso, two to the back of his head and one to his face.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2025
Verb
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He was buried at Penrose Cemetery in Byron, Wyoming, beside relatives, including his grandmother Cheryl.—
Dory Jackson,
People.com,
19 May 2025
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She was buried at what is now the park’s eastern end.—
Jack Schnedler,
Arkansas Online,
19 May 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 29 May. 2025.
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