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
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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
So Andor Season 2 starts with a big death—or two, as Brasso also dies after being shot by a Stormtrooper—and a story that keeps laying down the groundwork towards Rogue One.
—
Lissete Lanuza Sáenz, StyleCaster, 22 Apr. 2025
That brought up sophomore third baseman Reese Pedersen, who laid down a squeeze bunt.
—Matt Le Cren, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2025
How to Make Crispy Smashed Ranch Broccoli Start by steaming the broccoli and laying down a layer of Parmesan cheese on a prepared baking sheet.
—Erin Hooker, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Apr. 2025
The Church’s task is no longer these days that of the lawmaker, laying down is right and good.
—Austen Ivereigh, Time, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lay down
Lissete Lanuza Sáenz, StyleCaster, 22 Apr. 2025
That brought up sophomore third baseman Reese Pedersen, who laid down a squeeze bunt.
—Matt Le Cren, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2025
How to Make Crispy Smashed Ranch Broccoli Start by steaming the broccoli and laying down a layer of Parmesan cheese on a prepared baking sheet.
—Erin Hooker, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Apr. 2025
The Church’s task is no longer these days that of the lawmaker, laying down is right and good.
—Austen Ivereigh, Time, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lay down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lay down
Verb
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Some lawmakers have argued that the act cannot be used by the president to enact tariffs.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 May 2025
-
The 1970 Clean Air Act specifies that California can receive waivers from the Environmental Protection Agency to enact clean air standards that are tougher than federal limits because the state has historically been the most polluted air in the nation.—
Lisa Friedman,
New York Times,
1 May 2025
Verb
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Trump declared members of crime gangs Tren de Aragua and MS-13 as foreign terrorist organizations and invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to deport them more swiftly.—
Zac Anderson,
USA Today,
1 May 2025
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There's no sign of the outbreak slowing, and the nation's overall case count is on track to be the highest since the mid-1990s, before measles was declared eliminated in 2000.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
30 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The agency said chapters of the report underwent peer review but did not specify who reviewed it.—
Jen Christensen,
CNN Money,
1 May 2025
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Additionally, the home provides type not specified.—
Bay Area Home Report,
Mercury News,
1 May 2025
Verb
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Last year, Sabalenka relinquished the Madrid Open title to Iga Świątek in the best WTA Tour match of the season.—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
3 May 2025
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In the past month, many of these universities have been ordered to relinquish their academic independence, stripped of federal funds, had their students seized on the streets, and watched as faculty have begun an exodus to foreign academic institutions beyond the reach of the U.S. government.—
Drew Bernstein,
Forbes.com,
29 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The issue became a flashpoint for the Justice Department in March, when Pardon Attorney Liz Oyer refused to add Gibson to a pilot program that had whittled a list of 95 non-violent offenders down to nine who had passed rigorous FBI background checks.—
Nick Penzenstadler,
USA Today,
1 May 2025
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For Reese, that means passing through the post and out of the elbow to initiate high-low sequences with Cardoso and feed the guards on the perimeter.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Similarly, Trump's trade tariffs, territorial claims, and aggressive rhetoric towards nations like Mexico and Canada aim to project strength and assert dominance, even at the cost of disrupting traditional relations.—
Frank Lavin,
Forbes.com,
4 May 2025
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But some other people also assert that the dominant medical journals are biased.—
Rob Stein,
NPR,
2 May 2025
Verb
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And what will define a successful correspondents' dinner for the Hilton?—
Major Garrett,
CBS News,
26 Apr. 2025
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So, how exactly do brands arrive at the perfect shade to define the year ahead?—
Kristina McGuirk,
Better Homes & Gardens,
26 Apr. 2025
Verb
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As Google points out, these products have had a long life, and they're not being rendered totally inoperable.—
Ryan Whitwam,
ArsTechnica,
25 Apr. 2025
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The supreme court could render a decision on whether Bar remains in office, and for how long, based on technical issues.—
Gershom Gorenberg,
The Atlantic,
25 Apr. 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 11 May. 2025.
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