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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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of lay down
Across the Americas, an increasing number of luxury resorts and ranches have laid down lavish tented camps and started offering wildlife-spotting and wilderness activities that bring their surroundings to life in vivid, unforgettable fashion.
—
Jake Emen, Robb Report, 12 June 2025
Clean your work area: The dye found in tie-dye kits can easily stain tabletops and furniture, so take the kit outside or prepare your area by laying down newspaper or plastic bags.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 5 June 2025
The winner of the Godolphin Mile in April in Dubai broke on top and laid down modest fractions through the start of the race, leaving him plenty of gas for the race’s finish.
—John Cherwa, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2025
In a May 2022 op-ed in the New York Times, Felix laid down the gauntlet with Nike, exposing the fractious negotiations over an extension of her endorsement contract with the company.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for lay down
Jake Emen, Robb Report, 12 June 2025
Clean your work area: The dye found in tie-dye kits can easily stain tabletops and furniture, so take the kit outside or prepare your area by laying down newspaper or plastic bags.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 5 June 2025
The winner of the Godolphin Mile in April in Dubai broke on top and laid down modest fractions through the start of the race, leaving him plenty of gas for the race’s finish.
—John Cherwa, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2025
In a May 2022 op-ed in the New York Times, Felix laid down the gauntlet with Nike, exposing the fractious negotiations over an extension of her endorsement contract with the company.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for lay down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lay down
Verb
-
The first payments from Canada's digital services tax, which was enacted last year and applies retroactively to 2022, were initially set to be collected Monday.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
30 June 2025
-
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was not especially well loved when it was enacted at the end of that year.—
Joseph Thorndike,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
Verb
-
And the Justice Department warned that declaring the funding scheme unconstitutional would jeopardize many other programs.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
28 June 2025
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The driver of the Pathfinder was declared dead just before 2 p.m. The other two drivers were taken to hospitals with unspecified injuries, according to the release.—
Caroline Zimmerman,
Kansas City Star,
28 June 2025
Verb
-
Without specifying any figures, Sinclair says its ratings for women’s tennis have grown since 2023, especially among the coveted 18-to-34-year-old demographic.—
Brendan Coffey,
Sportico.com,
1 July 2025
-
This must include at least 100 MHz from 3.98 to 4.2 GHz, but the plan doesn't specify where the rest of the 300 MHz or more would be taken from.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
30 June 2025
Verb
-
Do it, talk to each other, ask questions, reach out to members, and remember that no one has ever relinquished power willingly, even for things as small as better hours, or more holiday time.—
James Folta,
Literary Hub,
24 June 2025
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Jean-Baptiste Voisin, chief strategy officer at LVMH, relinquished his responsibilities as head of LVMH Métiers d’Art and will now take on leadership of LVMH Media Research and Brand Image teams, previously helmed by Mathilde Delhoume, who is also taking on new responsibilities.—
Miles Socha,
Footwear News,
23 June 2025
Verb
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The Atlantic storms list for 2025, for instance, specifies that Andrea and Barry are next in line, the same names of storms that last passed through the Atlantic in 2019.—
Tom Brown,
Space.com,
29 June 2025
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Wine and beer are complimentary at lunch and dinner and are often paired with the entrees to reflect the region the cruise was passing through.—
George Varga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 June 2025
Verb
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Bayern asserted their dominance over Group C by thrashing Auckland City in their Club World Cup opener 10-0.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 June 2025
-
America asserted its position, secured a partner through alignment against common rivals, and laid the groundwork for its emergence as a global superpower.—
Staff,
FOXNews.com,
21 June 2025
Verb
-
Paul Guerlain, the grandson of Jean-Paul Guerlain, although not affiliated with the Guerlain brand, represents the next generation committed to upholding the values that have defined the maison for centuries.—
Y-Jean Mun-Delsalle,
Forbes.com,
25 June 2025
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As international attention turns away from missile strikes and toward diplomacy following the recent ceasefire between Iran and Israel, a deeper, longer-term struggle is quietly taking shape inside the Islamic Republic — one that will define the country’s political future.—
Pegah Banihashemi,
Chicago Tribune,
25 June 2025
Verb
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Agriculture technology with 3d rendering robot assistant in indoor farm or glasshouse.—
Gabriel Snyder,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 June 2025
-
Last season also offered up so many reminders that the Mets are liable to render all this hand-wringing and historical perspective moot by late October or early November.—
Jerry Beach,
Forbes.com,
25 June 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 6 Jul. 2025.
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