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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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Recent Examples of lay
Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 20 Aug. 2025
Its generous paddeding, cushion-back design, and lay-flat sleeper feature provide both comfort and practicality.
—Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Aug. 2025
Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2025
Inevitably, the Pats will lay an egg one Sunday.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 19 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lay
Verb
Slavin and running mate Peter Antico may be obscure to the lay entertainment consumer but are familiar figures within SAG-AFTRA politics.
—Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 20 Aug. 2025
Its generous paddeding, cushion-back design, and lay-flat sleeper feature provide both comfort and practicality.
—Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Aug. 2025
Noun
And this ‘25 squad has not shown the backbone of resolve to inspire any such turnaround, especially after the club’s inner-turmoil was laid bare last week with Tagovailoa’s post-loss remarks about some players missing or tardy for players-only meetings.
—Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2025
Inevitably, the Pats will lay an egg one Sunday.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 19 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lay
Verb
-
Pair it with tights, knee-high boots, and a denim jacket for an effortlessly put together look.—
Mia Huelsbeck,
PEOPLE,
19 Oct. 2025
-
This could further drive up longtime residents’ property tax bills and put them at risk of losing their homes to the land bank eventually, too.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
His seventh-inning shot settled in the left-center bleachers and crushed the Brewers, who had finally chased him from the mound by getting two runners on in the top of the inning, only to go scoreless anyway when reliever Alex Vesia escaped the jam.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
18 Oct. 2025
-
To get the $300 in bonus bets, your initial $5 bet has to settle as a win, and your wager must be on a market that has odds of -500 or longer.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Comey received a slight boost in his case to plead his innocence earlier this week when a judge rejected federal prosecutors’ effort to impose broad restrictions on the evidence Comey can access ahead of trial.—
Emily Hallas,
The Washington Examiner,
18 Oct. 2025
-
The latest food shortage in Gaza began in March, when Israel ended a ceasefire and imposed a blockade on all aid that lasted eleven weeks.—
Clayton Dalton,
New Yorker,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Amazon is preparing to cut as much as 15% of its human resources staff, with additional layoffs likely in other divisions, according to multiple sources familiar with the plans.—
Jason Del Rey,
Fortune,
15 Oct. 2025
-
From frustrating sick days to healing family time and back to the ballroom, see Jen preparing to take on the Viennese Waltz below!—
Angela Andaloro,
PEOPLE,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
It is spread through close contact with an infected person, such as through respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
18 Oct. 2025
-
If that awareness spreads to other highly tariffed sectors, from furniture to heavy machinery, this administration may unintentionally succeed in unlocking widespread adoption of circularity that has eluded its backers for decades.—
Justin Worland,
Time,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
So sorry, fantasy coaches and anybody that bet on me, my bad.—
Michael Nowels,
Mercury News,
20 Oct. 2025
-
Sports betting operators have no influence over newsroom coverage.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The brothers ascribe some of Barb’s staying power to Purser, who was working in a movie theater when the Duffer brothers cast her.—
Eliana Dockterman,
Time,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Johnson reached a similar conclusion with respect to Gaines’ attempt to ascribe state action to the NCAA.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
In the end, Kate convinces the prime minister to bury both the sub and the Poseidon in concrete on the ocean floor, instead of it getting taken away.—
Christopher Rudolph,
PEOPLE,
17 Oct. 2025
-
To detect these elusive particles, scientists are working to build enormous instruments (neutrino observatories) in the quietest environments possible, such as deep underwater or buried in ice.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
17 Oct. 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 22 Oct. 2025.
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