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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Second Movement Next, place the roller behind you and lay down over it; this time with the roller perpendicular to your spine.
—
Jennifer Shanker, Flow Space, 18 Dec. 2025
Then my sister lay down next to me.
—NPR, 26 Nov. 2025
Millions of Russian men, unwilling to take on lower-status work, lay down on the couch and took to drink.
—Julia Ioffe, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2025
Second, disassociate from Hamas and other terrorist groups, including Iran, lay down all arms, and come to the table with a plan to live in harmony with Israel.
—Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lay down
Jennifer Shanker, Flow Space, 18 Dec. 2025
Then my sister lay down next to me.
—NPR, 26 Nov. 2025
Millions of Russian men, unwilling to take on lower-status work, lay down on the couch and took to drink.
—Julia Ioffe, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2025
Second, disassociate from Hamas and other terrorist groups, including Iran, lay down all arms, and come to the table with a plan to live in harmony with Israel.
—Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lay down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lay down
Verb
-
An interim report from the Royal Commission released in April, which examined the capacity of Australian law enforcement and the security services to respond to antisemitic crimes, recommended that Australia’s leaders prioritize enacting nationally consistent gun laws and a weapons buyback.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 May 2026
-
This act interferes greatly with local departments of planning and development for erroneous climate protocols enacted by Ronald Regan.—
Kaitlyn Schallhorn,
Oc Register,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
This year marks two centuries since Jefferson’s death and two hundred and fifty years since the United States declared its independence by issuing arguably the most important piece of prose in modern history.—
Jill Lepore,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
-
In addition to state amphibian, this year’s bill also declares Connecticut to be the birthplace of the Boys and Girls Club and names Housatonic marble — which is found throughout the state and forms part of the state Capitol — as state rock.—
Theo Peck-Suzuki,
Hartford Courant,
3 May 2026
Verb
-
About half of the rooms have a sea view, while the rest have views of the courtyard or garden, so if a sea view is important to you, be sure to specify that when booking.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
4 May 2026
-
All events take place on May 10 unless otherwise specified.—
Samantha Nelson,
Chicago Tribune,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
The Royals took a 7-6 lead and never relinquished it.—
Jaylon Thompson
May 2,
Kansas City Star,
2 May 2026
-
The team will relinquish its district title and conduct a full audit of its athletic eligibility process.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
The City Council passed the item by unanimous vote and without discussion.—
Nick Sullivan,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The Mets will reassess after 10 days have passed.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Louisiana sued to restrict access to mifepristone, asserting that its availability undermined the ban there.—
Mark Sherman,
Twin Cities,
4 May 2026
-
The improved momentum behind IGV and relative 'buy' signals versus the SPX suggest software stocks are asserting themselves as a new source of leadership within the technology sector.—
Katie Stockton,
CNBC,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
An epic comeback and an epic bounce defined two games that forced Game 7s on Friday night.—
Dan Santaromita,
New York Times,
2 May 2026
-
That tension — between the gravity of what the commission documented and the limits of what it was empowered to do — defined Thursday’s release of its final report.—
Olivia Olander,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
Verb
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Deputies rendered medical aid; however, one man and the woman succumbed to their injuries and were pronounced dead at the scene.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Perhaps Pfleger would be well advised to stick to his faith and his flock and to render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s, rather than to continue to pontificate from the pulpit — or even the paper.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
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 7 May. 2026.
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