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
Ciara McCarthy. Produced With Ai Assistance, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 June 2026
Rather, screwworm infestations begin when a female fly lays eggs on a wound or body opening.
—Mateo Rosiles, USA Today, 22 June 2026
Robert Rubsam, The Atlantic, 26 Mar. 2026
There is Muslim representation on the group's advisory board of lay leaders.
—Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lay
Verb
That matters because females are the ones laying eggs and spreading larvae.
—Ciara McCarthy. Produced With Ai Assistance, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 June 2026
Rather, screwworm infestations begin when a female fly lays eggs on a wound or body opening.
—Mateo Rosiles, USA Today, 22 June 2026
Adjective
This story is told by an unnamed narrator, an irreligious woman who has joined the nuns as a lay resident after her faith in environmental advocacy crumbled.
—Robert Rubsam, The Atlantic, 26 Mar. 2026
There is Muslim representation on the group's advisory board of lay leaders.
—Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lay
Verb
-
Lola Vice will put her NXT Women’s Championship on the line against Kendal Grey, Myles Borne will defend the NXT North American Championship against Tavion Heights, Wren Sinclair will face a challenger for the WWE Women’s Speed Championship and Saquon Shugars takes on Dion Lennox.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
19 June 2026
-
Earlier, a pair of Harry Kane goals — his ninth and 10th at World Cups — had twice put England ahead, only for some sloppy defending and smart attacking play to give Croatia a route back.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
19 June 2026
Verb
-
Saudi Arabia was 10 minutes away from upsetting Uruguay, only to settle for a tie.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
-
His father embarked on a number of business ventures, including working as a taxi driver, after the family settled in New York City.—
Kelsie Hoffman,
CBS News,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
My eyes darted back and forth, trying to grasp the imposing silhouette in its entirety.—
Karina Zaiets,
USA Today,
19 June 2026
-
The filing, submitted in the San Diego County Superior Court, seeks a judge’s order to condemn and destroy the embargoed kratom products, halt ongoing unlawful manufacturing and impose civil penalties.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
Verb
-
While park conditions can often be dangerous, from high heat to landslides, the key to a safe national park visit is being well-informed and prepared.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
22 June 2026
-
After Alicent’s misunderstanding — which leads to Aegon II claiming the throne — Rhaenyra prepares for war and gathers allies to fight for her rightful claim to the throne.—
Skyler Trepel,
PEOPLE,
22 June 2026
Verb
-
While proudly rooted in Italy, the business today features 260 stores spread across 60 countries, giving it a front-row seat to how the world spectates and celebrates the game.—
Robb Report Studio,
Robb Report,
23 June 2026
-
Investigators found that initial structural failure spread to other elements of the pool deck and street-level parking garage and caused cracks to grow over the span of a few weeks, eventually unseating the southern edge of the pool deck slab from its supporting wall, the report said.—
Aaron Leibowitz,
Miami Herald,
23 June 2026
Verb
-
Businesses are betting on the World Cup, night markets and cultural events to revive Olvera Street.—
Angela Osorio,
Los Angeles Times,
22 June 2026
-
However, some bitcoin and crypto traders are betting that some of the cash that has entered the system due to the SpaceX IPO could soon be heading toward bitcoin.—
Billy Bambrough,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2026
Verb
-
Context matters for understanding the meaning that many in Argentina ascribed to that goal.—
Cesar R. Torres,
The Conversation,
17 June 2026
-
In line with the science of his time, which said that lunar craters were volcanic, Verne ascribes his flickering light to an eruption.—
Neil Oseman,
Space.com,
14 June 2026
Verb
-
Minnesota Department of Transportation A pile of hailstones buried a lawn chair in Maple Grove, Minnesota.—
Nick Lentz,
CBS News,
20 June 2026
-
There is a second worry buried in the FSB report, quieter but arguably sharper.—
Dara-Abasi Ita,
Forbes.com,
20 June 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 23 Jun. 2026.
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