1
as in to spread
to put a layer of on a surface
she lays the butter on so thickly that you hardly taste the bagel
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to employ
chiefly British
to provide with a paying job
lay on more staff for the busy tourist season in the Lake District
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lay on
Verb
-
The shutdown’s ripple effects spread across nearly every part of the air travel network Friday, with the nation’s busiest airports hit hardest.—
Emma Tucker,
CNN Money,
8 Nov. 2025 -
Controlling a fire means ensuring that the fire can't spread or cross the containment line.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Trucking employs millions of drivers across the United States, and experts predict that job roles will evolve as fleets adopt autonomous systems.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Many of those bases employ local workers in roles ranging from food service and construction to logistics and maintenance.—
Mandy Taheri,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
This impressive deal only applies to the six-piece set, which includes five compression packing cubes and one drawstring bag in select colors.—
Emily Belfiore,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Jan. 2026
-
The two, a male and a female, were hospitalized with gunshot wounds after Portland police officers applied a tourniquet on scene.—
Ross O'Keefe,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Investigations found the voicemails of public figures were hacked by journalists and private investigators hired by publications who worked on the assumption that few people changed the default voicemail access code their handset came with.—
Charlotte Reck,
CNN Money,
9 Nov. 2025
-
When Bournemouth hired Iraola the following summer, Perez was invited to replace him but chose instead to accompany his pal to the Premier League.—
Dermot Corrigan,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
That research laid the foundation for studying blood-loss control.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Jan. 2026
-
The half-zip can be worn unzipped with the collar laid flat, or zipped up and worn as a funnel neck collar.—
Caroline Hughes,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Pitt defensive tackle Francis Brewu is another name worth tracking, considering new Irish defensive line coach Charlie Partridge recruited him into the Panthers program before taking a job with the Indianapolis Colts.—
Pete Sampson,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Probationary fire recruits training to join the department provided assistance with containing the fire, officials said.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The vacuum cleaner has powerful suction, and the mop cleans without sloshing and smearing water on the floor.—
Terri Williams,
Architectural Digest,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Trudeau wrapped his other arm around Hadrien, who had smeared fake blood on the side of his face.—
Ashley Hume,
FOXNews.com,
2 Nov. 2025
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Video
Lay vs. Lie
Editor Emily Brewster clarifies the difference.
Cite this Entry
“Lay on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lay%20on. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share