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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of lay down
Use this energy to reclaim your space, tend to your inner child, and lay down new roots that are built on integrity, not illusion.
—
Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 21 Sep. 2025
Witnessing the Gallaghers lay down their arms to deliver one of rock music’s most triumphant comeback stories has made Shultz reflect on sharing his band — and life — with his brother, Brad.
—Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 9 Sep. 2025
Release the hostages and lay down your weapons—or Gaza will be destroyed, and you will be annihilated.
—Amira El-Fekki, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
Now the Colts, who haven’t won a season opener since 2013, won’t just see those numbers and lay down.
—Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lay down
Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 21 Sep. 2025
Witnessing the Gallaghers lay down their arms to deliver one of rock music’s most triumphant comeback stories has made Shultz reflect on sharing his band — and life — with his brother, Brad.
—Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 9 Sep. 2025
Release the hostages and lay down your weapons—or Gaza will be destroyed, and you will be annihilated.
—Amira El-Fekki, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
Now the Colts, who haven’t won a season opener since 2013, won’t just see those numbers and lay down.
—Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lay down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lay down
Verb
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Though the Maldives is the first country to enact such a ban, similar proposals have been debated – and nearly imposed – in other parts of the world.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
3 Nov. 2025
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President Woodrow Wilson enacted the Cloture Rule in 1917, requiring a two-thirds majority vote to pass legislation and prevent prolonged speeches from halting debate.—
Callum Sutherland,
Time,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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It was formed in 2017 as a coalition of jihadist factions and immediately declared its allegiance to al Qaeda.—
Tim Lister,
CNN Money,
2 Nov. 2025
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Dominik Szoboszlai had just squandered a golden chance by firing tamely into the arms of Emiliano Martinez after winning the ball back high up the field when the Kop parked their frustration and vocally declared their unwavering faith in the Dutchman.—
James Pearce,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Trump did not specify when new testing would begin, stating only that the timing would be announced.—
Joshua Rhett Miller,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Oct. 2025
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The streaming platform did not specify the time the movie will be available to watch.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Yet, despite this military setback, the militia in Lebanon shows no intention of relinquishing its weapons.—
Benjamin Weinthal,
FOXNews.com,
2 Nov. 2025
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Georgia Tech led 17-14 before the Wolfpack’s Cody Hardy scored his second touchdown of the first half, and NC State (5-4, 2-3) never relinquished the lead from there.—
Manny Navarro,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
Verb
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This means that filter-feeding oysters would have been able to pass all of Chesapeake Bay’s water through their gills in one day, Mann and Lockwood calculated.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
31 Oct. 2025
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Disney’s channels have been removed from YouTube’s pay-TV platform after the two media giants failed to reach a new carriage agreement before Thursday’s midnight deadline passed.—
Liam Reilly,
CNN Money,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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But though Pope had the final (non-)hand in the goal, it was made possible by a complacent Newcastle performance in which their midfield failed to assert control in a match which had been handed to them.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
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To review or object to instances where our partners assert a legitimate interest in utilizing your data, please visit our vendors page.—
Jazz Monroe,
Pitchfork,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Becky Lynch is ensuring that her reign as Women's Intercontinental Champion is defined by controversy and confidence.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
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In Italy, a bill to introduce consent as the central element in defining rape was proposed in February last year and is under review.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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For the monks or clerics, it is presented as a material substance, carried like a sack of gold on the demon’s back; the metaphors used are monetary or economic, as though the monks owe ordered syllables to God instead of the monetary tithe their vows of poverty render unnecessary.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
31 Oct. 2025
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Black can then be found on the tongue and laces, while the midsole is rendered in off-white.—
Ian Servantes,
Footwear News,
30 Oct. 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 5 Nov. 2025.
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