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
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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
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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
The preteen skier, whom The Denver Post is not identifying, said Hedges groped and assaulted him after the boy laid down to sleep.
—
Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 23 June 2025
Lately, Scherzinger has laid down impressive roots on Broadway.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 23 June 2025
The sheer weight of the military tanks that will be used in the parade could harm the roads of the parade route, though the military plans to lay down metal plates to mitigate the damage and has offered to pay for any repairs.
—David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 12 June 2025
There was an unspoken gauntlet laid down: Who’s running this s— in the NBA?
—David Aldridge, New York Times, 22 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for lay down
Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 23 June 2025
Lately, Scherzinger has laid down impressive roots on Broadway.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 23 June 2025
The sheer weight of the military tanks that will be used in the parade could harm the roads of the parade route, though the military plans to lay down metal plates to mitigate the damage and has offered to pay for any repairs.
—David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 12 June 2025
There was an unspoken gauntlet laid down: Who’s running this s— in the NBA?
—David Aldridge, New York Times, 22 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for lay down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lay down
Verb
-
The Commerce Clause provides Congress with the authority to regulate interstate commerce and, as it has been interpreted by courts, prohibits states from enacting economic laws that unduly burden other states’ economies.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
30 June 2025
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The first payments from Canada's digital services tax, which was enacted last year and applies retroactively to 2022, were initially set to be collected Monday.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
30 June 2025
Verb
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And the Justice Department warned that declaring the funding scheme unconstitutional would jeopardize many other programs.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
28 June 2025
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The driver of the Pathfinder was declared dead just before 2 p.m. The other two drivers were taken to hospitals with unspecified injuries, according to the release.—
Caroline Zimmerman,
Kansas City Star,
28 June 2025
Verb
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Without specifying any figures, Sinclair says its ratings for women’s tennis have grown since 2023, especially among the coveted 18-to-34-year-old demographic.—
Brendan Coffey,
Sportico.com,
1 July 2025
-
This must include at least 100 MHz from 3.98 to 4.2 GHz, but the plan doesn't specify where the rest of the 300 MHz or more would be taken from.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
30 June 2025
Verb
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While Israel wants to eradicate Hamas following the Oct. 7 attacks, the group has shown little willingness to relinquish its political and military power in Gaza.—
Christian Edwards,
CNN Money,
5 July 2025
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Lesson 4: Less data, better decisions Without her phone, my wife had to relinquish her customary role as the navigator.—
JJ Rosen,
The Tennessean,
2 July 2025
Verb
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The Atlantic storms list for 2025, for instance, specifies that Andrea and Barry are next in line, the same names of storms that last passed through the Atlantic in 2019.—
Tom Brown,
Space.com,
29 June 2025
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Wine and beer are complimentary at lunch and dinner and are often paired with the entrees to reflect the region the cruise was passing through.—
George Varga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 June 2025
Verb
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In retrospect, both fans and Grenier himself have asserted that Nate may be the actual villain of The Devil Wears Prada, and not the titular devil herself.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
People.com,
1 July 2025
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The athleisure label also asserted that Costco is known to use manufacturers of popular brands’ products for its own Kirkland private label.—
Kate Nishimura,
Sourcing Journal,
1 July 2025
Verb
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Changeable tastes and desires define your next four months.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
7 July 2025
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Tons of shoppers are going after this Maybelline liquid blush that provides a natural yet pigmented flush, as well as this CoverGirl mascara that lengthens and defines lashes in one fell swoop.—
Clara McMahon,
People.com,
7 July 2025
Verb
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Chinese electric vehicles are becoming far more attractive, rendering Tesla's cars less appealing, particularly in global markets.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
7 July 2025
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The government says that services rendered while a fugitive from your master are not recognized.—
Jonquilyn Hill,
Vox,
6 July 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 13 Jul. 2025.
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