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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of lay down
Often, homeowners and contractors lay down a weed-blocking fabric, and then use just enough rock product to cover it.
—
Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 June 2026
SkyCal was overhead when the suspect pulled over near Dorchester Avenue and Norwich Avenue, promptly exited the car with their hands raised and lay down on a driveway in the area.
—Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 7 June 2026
Without giving too much away, the pre-show of the attraction has been completely redone, and some of the most iconic muppets like the Penguins and Scooter are helping the Electric Mayhem lay down their next big track.
—Megan Dubois, Southern Living, 20 May 2026
The ceasefire plan includes provisions for voluntary buyback of weapons in Gaza, conditional amnesty for those who lay down their arms, and safe passage abroad for those unwilling to accept the framework.
—Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for lay down
Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 June 2026
SkyCal was overhead when the suspect pulled over near Dorchester Avenue and Norwich Avenue, promptly exited the car with their hands raised and lay down on a driveway in the area.
—Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 7 June 2026
Without giving too much away, the pre-show of the attraction has been completely redone, and some of the most iconic muppets like the Penguins and Scooter are helping the Electric Mayhem lay down their next big track.
—Megan Dubois, Southern Living, 20 May 2026
The ceasefire plan includes provisions for voluntary buyback of weapons in Gaza, conditional amnesty for those who lay down their arms, and safe passage abroad for those unwilling to accept the framework.
—Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for lay down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lay down
Verb
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Greenspan was also criticized for enacting policies that contributed to the subprime mortgage crisis that led to the recession at the end of the 2000s.—
Victoria Edel,
PEOPLE,
22 June 2026
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After the collapse, state legislators enacted a law in 2022 requiring condo associations to have sufficient reserves to cover major repairs.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
22 June 2026
Verb
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But Nicky stays and watches, amused as Lestat declares his new outlook on life.—
Hunter Ingram,
Variety,
22 June 2026
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The mayor of Marseille, Benoît Payan, had already declared his opposition to West’s performance on social media in late March.—
Tom Tapp,
Deadline,
21 June 2026
Verb
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Ablakwa did not specify the specific types of artifacts, nor where they are currently being held.—
Leigh Anne Miller,
ARTnews.com,
22 June 2026
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There is no difference specified under the law.—
Joseph Buczek,
CBS News,
22 June 2026
Verb
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Originally foreseen as the second Air Jordan of Michael’s post-player era, the Air Jordan 16 was designed by Wilson Smith III after Tinker Hatfield relinquished the reins.—
Ian Servantes,
Footwear News,
18 June 2026
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In 2023, ten years after relinquishing the kneeling figures, the Met gave a further 14 items from its collection back to Cambodia.—
Oscar Holland,
CNN Money,
17 June 2026
Verb
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Then the youngest of the trio, the front-seat passenger, whom Shahsavani believed was closer to 10, joined the duo in sitting on the window opening as the vehicle passed Stewart Street.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
24 June 2026
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The legislation — a major priority for both Republicans and Democrats ahead of this fall's midterm elections — passed overwhelmingly, with a final tally of 358-32.—
Andrea Riquier,
USA Today,
24 June 2026
Verb
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Car show winners The winner of Best in Show at the fourth annual Historic Downtown Campbell Car Show, held June 6, may seem somewhat underwhelming, but organizers assert that Michael Vanni’s 1964 Chevy Nova has serious street cred.—
Anne Gelhaus,
Mercury News,
21 June 2026
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That came after the start of talks between the two countries had been delayed while both sides also sought to assert influence over the strait.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
20 June 2026
Verb
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One of Wood’s earliest conversations with Reid centered on abandoning the heeled footwear that helped define earlier versions of the character.—
Precious Fondren,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2026
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McTominay, whose iconic bicycle kick against Denmark was the defining goal of Scotland’s World Cup qualifying campaign, threatened multiple times past the 80th minute but couldn’t convert.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
20 June 2026
Verb
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Issues like slow image rendering on mobile devices or videos failing to auto-crop correctly—such as losing the subject when switching between portrait and landscape views—are often perceived as minor.—
Tal Lev-Ami,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2026
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Faux snakeskin takes the place of the woven Kevlar panel that usually defines the model, while the long mudguard beneath is rendered in black nubuck.—
Ian Servantes,
Footwear News,
23 June 2026
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 25 Jun. 2026.
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