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
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Almost immediately after oversight of TikTok’s US operations changed, misinformation started to spread about changes to the app’s new terms of service, including those that applied to location sharing and data collection, Fiesler said.—
Scottie Andrew,
CNN Money,
27 Jan. 2026 -
Families who never qualified say their costs are rising, too, as insurers spread the increases across the entire market.—
Mahsa Saeidi,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The following three entries on the international top 5 liberally employ animation in their respective mise-en-scènes, but wouldn't qualify at the Golden Globes in the Best Animated Film category.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 Jan. 2026
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If available, employ your fog lights.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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During vetting by the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security, refugees are required to show they were persecuted or face persecution in their home countries and, once in the US, must apply for green cards a year after admission.—
Ray Sanchez,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
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The designation only applies to the sign, not the attached building, which houses Americana Pizza.—
Mark Dee,
Idaho Statesman,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Orr, who also interviewed for the defensive coordinator job in Dallas before the team hired Parker, has experience coaching alongside head coach Brian Schottenheimer in 2021 with the Jacksonville Jaguars.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 Jan. 2026
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West Mesquite has hired Jeremy Williams from San Antonio Sam Houston as its next head football coach.—
Ishmael Johnson,
Dallas Morning News,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Calvert-Lewin’s travails with Everton are laid bare in that final column.—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
26 Jan. 2026
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And that equivocation should lay bare Strider’s personal opinion about the latest high-profile instance of ICE enforcement.—
Peter Chawaga,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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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
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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
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Their clothes are smeared with mud, symbolizing the earthy, devotional spirit of the journey.—
Cecilia Rodriguez,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
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Elliot has a bloody nose, a mouth smeared with lipstick and is wearing a frilly pink bra and pants.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
23 Jan. 2026
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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 30 Jan. 2026.
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