as in to store
to put (something of future use or value) in a safe or secret place
an eating disorder that would impel her to lay up candy bars in her closet for all-night food binges
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of lay up
Texas Christian University Horned Frogs guard Olivia Miles (5) lays up a first half shot against the Houston Cougars during the first half at Schollmaier Arena in Fort Worth, February 4, 2026.
—
Dallas Morning News, 5 Feb. 2026
She's unhappily laid up right now after a hit and run car accident near her Cranston home.
—Gail Ciampa, The Providence Journal, 21 Jan. 2026
Tyrese Haliburton #0 of the Indiana Pacers attempts a lay up against Miles McBride #2 and Mitchell Robinson #23 of the New York Knicks during the third quarter in Game Four of the Eastern Conference...
—Alex Kirschenbaum, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025
The Ryder Cup hopeful laid up, only to leave his approach shot in the water.
—Bennett Conlin, Baltimore Sun, 15 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lay up
Dallas Morning News, 5 Feb. 2026
She's unhappily laid up right now after a hit and run car accident near her Cranston home.
—Gail Ciampa, The Providence Journal, 21 Jan. 2026
Tyrese Haliburton #0 of the Indiana Pacers attempts a lay up against Miles McBride #2 and Mitchell Robinson #23 of the New York Knicks during the third quarter in Game Four of the Eastern Conference...
—Alex Kirschenbaum, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025
The Ryder Cup hopeful laid up, only to leave his approach shot in the water.
—Bennett Conlin, Baltimore Sun, 15 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lay up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lay up
Verb
-
The red mesh sack, of the kind typically used to store oranges or onions, is stamped with her name, immigration number and date of deportation.—
Mathew Miranda,
Sacbee.com,
31 Mar. 2026
-
After years of sustained demand, the snack returned to store shelves in 2020.—
Hanna Wickes,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Years before the rise of Instagram, Banksy figured out that the key to real influence lay in not being famous, exactly, but in being anonymous.—
Laurie Kellman,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Mar. 2026
-
Years before the rise of Instagram, Banksy figured out that the key to real influence lay in not being famous, exactly, but in being anonymous.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Kahnle, despite his status as a 12-year MLB veteran, can be stashed in Triple-A to start the season.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
22 Mar. 2026
-
Afternoon and early-evening sessions, once thought safe, were infiltrated by those stashing weapons.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
19 Mar. 2026
Video
Lay vs. Lie
Editor Emily Brewster clarifies the difference.
Cite this Entry
“Lay up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lay%20up. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
