1
as in to enact
to put into effect through legislative or authoritative action
the city council promises to lay down new ordinances that will force dog walkers to clean up after their animals
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to declare
to state clearly and strongly
at the risk of their popularity, the parents laid down the rules for the party and wouldn't accept any arguments
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3
as in to specify
to give the rules about (something) clearly and exactly
the supervisor laid down the procedure for a complaint of sexual harassment
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4
as in to relinquish
to give (something) over to the control or possession of another usually under duress
commanded the surrounded troops to lay down their weapons
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of lay down
Stock image: An English cocker spaniel enjoys air flowing from a fan on the floor while laying down.
—
Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 July 2025
The randomness of glacial till distinguishes these deposits from those laid down by more delicate and organized movements, such as the flow of water through streams or out in the open ocean.
—Laura Poppick
july 22, Literary Hub, 22 July 2025
At low speeds, the Vanquish is quite agile, but a progressive power band keeps it from being nervous or jerky when laying down the power, with the wheels effectively locked in place at high speeds for added stability.
—Alex Kalogiannis, ArsTechnica, 22 July 2025
Then during the pegging phase, players go back-and-forth laying down one card at a time, with points assigned to specific sequences.
—Andrew Montequin, jsonline.com, 29 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for lay down
Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 July 2025
The randomness of glacial till distinguishes these deposits from those laid down by more delicate and organized movements, such as the flow of water through streams or out in the open ocean.
—Laura Poppick
july 22, Literary Hub, 22 July 2025
At low speeds, the Vanquish is quite agile, but a progressive power band keeps it from being nervous or jerky when laying down the power, with the wheels effectively locked in place at high speeds for added stability.
—Alex Kalogiannis, ArsTechnica, 22 July 2025
Then during the pegging phase, players go back-and-forth laying down one card at a time, with points assigned to specific sequences.
—Andrew Montequin, jsonline.com, 29 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for lay down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lay down
Verb
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After the presidential election, a leader of the Texas chapter of the Three Percenters, a militia group, reportedly wrote to Trump to offer manpower in enacting mass deportations.—
Ali Breland,
The Atlantic,
5 Aug. 2025
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Congress also approved his signature policy legislation that will enact some of his most significant campaign promises, including an extension of his 2017 tax cuts and tighter border control.—
Sara Dorn,
Forbes.com,
5 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The Netflix star was declared cancer-free in November 2022 and underwent breast reconstruction surgery two years later.—
Vanessa Etienne,
People.com,
16 Aug. 2025
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In April, Lujan Grisham declared a state of emergency in New Mexico’s largest city, Albuquerque, saying that a significant increase in crime warranted the help of the New Mexico National Guard.—
Nino Paoli,
Fortune,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
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These policies should address potential misuse, specify acceptable use cases and delineate accountability, especially given the varied regulatory landscapes across regions.—
Rob Green,
Forbes.com,
6 Aug. 2025
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The airline will begin daily service from Seattle to London, though the carrier did not specify a date, and tickets are not yet on sale.—
Zach Wichter,
USA Today,
5 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The proposal suggests Musk won’t relinquish the CEO title in the near term.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
4 Aug. 2025
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In May 2025, Kraft Heinz announced a strategic review aimed at unlocking shareholder value, and Berkshire Hathaway relinquished its board seats, signaling potential structural changes.—
Joe Cornell,
Forbes.com,
17 July 2025
Verb
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Then, pass rusher Brian Burns revealed this week that Lawrence has been teaching him some new tricks of the trade to get to the quarterback.—
Pat Leonard,
New York Daily News,
16 Aug. 2025
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The State Board passed an emergency regulation that went into effect July 23 that allowed Wright to extend Tasker-Mitchell’s reinstatement until Jan. 19 or until a hearing occurs.—
William J. Ford,
Baltimore Sun,
16 Aug. 2025
Verb
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There’s this pressure as a young woman to assert yourself so that you’re taken seriously.—
Samantha Bergeson,
IndieWire,
7 Aug. 2025
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Hall worked tirelessly to seize opportunities to assert Republicans' power as the minority party.—
Clara Hendrickson,
Freep.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
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And over time a cadre of chefs have learned to use these riches in a way that distinctly defines the city’s cuisine.—
Pervaiz Shallwani,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
12 Aug. 2025
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Both stylists say to define curls using a curl cream and a diffuser.—
Catharine Malzahn,
Glamour,
11 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Market Concentration: Heavy dependence on the Canadian market renders TLRY vulnerable to regulatory changes and competitive pressures within a single jurisdiction.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
12 Aug. 2025
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Across the collection, the complex and multifaceted experiences of trans people of color are rendered vividly, and the pieces urge political action in the present while offering a beacon of hope for a more just future.—
Gabrielle Bellot,
Literary Hub,
12 Aug. 2025
Video
Lay vs. Lie
Editor Emily Brewster clarifies the difference.
Cite this Entry
“Lay down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lay%20down. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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