Synonyms of lay down

lay down

verb

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

• enact
• pass
• constitute
• approve
• legislate
• make
• bring about
• dictate
• ordain
• effect
• permit
• authorize
• ratify
• sanction
• proclaim
• reenact
• execute
• repass
• decree
• confirm
• allow
• administer

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• repeal
• revoke
• kill
• rescind
• cancel
• invalidate
• abolish
• reverse
• nullify
• void
• annul
• abrogate
• overturn

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

• declare
• assert
• profess
• proclaim
• say
• announce
• affirm
• explain
• guarantee
• justify
• aver
• promote
• advertise
• defend
• avow
• avouch
• stress
• pronounce
• emphasize
• advance
• uphold
• convince
• assure
• publicize
• accent
• plug
• boost
• underline
• underscore
• advocate
• blaze
• support
• persuade
• call
• accentuate
• rationalize
• espouse
• reaffirm
• reassert
• champion

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• minimize
• ignore
• disregard
• neglect
• overlook
• understate

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

• specify
• define
• direct
• prescribe
• order
• dictate
• arrange
• tell
• select
• set
• choose
• assign
• instruct
• control
• require
• force
• conduct
• decree
• manage
• bid
• govern
• lead
• fix
• settle
• charge
• coerce
• compel
• ordain
• constrain
• enjoin
• command
• adjure
• obligate
• oblige

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

• relinquish
• render
• surrender
• deliver
• turn in
• turn over
• hand over
• cough up
• yield
• give up
• transfer
• abandon
• cede
• resign
• commit
• waive
• release
• part (with)
• entrust
• forfeit
• consign
• discard
• shed
• desert
• renounce
• forsake
• abnegate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• keep
• retain
• withhold

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of lay down

Licensed installers remove old flooring, prep the subfloor and lay down your new floors. — Sharon Wu, USA Today, 17 July 2026

On Friday, Fanara’s daughter Michelle Fanara said, her father was working on a project at a neighboring property, stepped inside Palermo, lay down to rest and did not get up. — Christopher Reynolds, Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2026

Maria put on a mask against the putrid smell and lay down on the ground. — Philip Wang, Time, 29 June 2026

First, a spider would lay down an anchor point on a surface where green tree ants were likely to forage, before attaching it to a tension line connecting back to the main web. — Mindy Weisberger, CNN Money, 23 June 2026

Video

Lay vs. Lie

Editor Emily Brewster clarifies the difference.