lay on

verb

Definition of lay onnext
1
as in to spread
to put a layer of on a surface she lays the butter on so thickly that you hardly taste the bagel

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to employ
chiefly British to provide with a paying job lay on more staff for the busy tourist season in the Lake District

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for lay on
  1. spread
  2. employ
  3. apply
  4. hire
  5. lay
  6. recruit
  7. smear
Verb
  • The fires that devastated Collins are part of a wider wildfire emergency unfolding across Canada, where 889 active fires were spreading as of Thursday night, according to the Canadian Wildland Fire Information System.
    — Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 18 July 2026
  • Tucked away behind gates on a parcel spanning nearly nine acres within an exclusive enclave near Del Mar Country Club, the Amor Estate offers 30,000 square feet of living space spread across a seven-bedroom main home and a two-bedroom guesthouse.
    — Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 17 July 2026
Definition of spread
Verb
  • The European governing body employs two rules, each of which Newcastle breached.
    — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 18 July 2026
  • Even workers who are still employed face double economic pressure as basic wages increasingly fail to meet rising living costs and reduced overtime, driven by falling orders, has hampered their ability to supplement income.
    — Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 17 July 2026
Definition of employ
Verb
  • Transparency advocates, and even the Pentagon’s own internal watchdog, have described the term CUI as inconsistently applied and overused.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 July 2026
  • Garcia never stepped on the brakes before the SUV hit the tree; only the vehicle’s accelerator was applied, according to the DA’s Office.
    — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 23 July 2026
Definition of apply
Verb
  • So, when Thursday’s term sheet was sent to the Blazers, the team was put off by asks from the city, particularly the $3 million annual fee for a property tax offset and a requirement that the team hires union workers.
    — Jason Quick, New York Times, 21 July 2026
  • That means other captains looking to hire Luke will see the incident on his record.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 21 July 2026
Definition of hire
Verb
  • He was also sent off for a headbutt against an opponent who provoked him in his last ever match, which happened to be the 2006 World Cup final; his human reaction laid bare on the highest stage of all.
    — Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 21 July 2026
  • The company has already laid significant groundwork, launching pre-orders on June 25, revealing cover art, and releasing 60 new screenshots.
    — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
Definition of lay
Verb
  • The video game allows users to take over a program acting as its head coach with the ability to recruit, manage a staff and improve facilities, just like in real life.
    — Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 17 July 2026
  • Ezell was integral in recruiting him out of James Clemens High School in Madison, Alabama.
    — Noah Vinsky July 17, Charlotte Observer, 17 July 2026
Definition of recruit
Verb
  • Excessive oil can clog the cloth’s fibers and smear grime across your stainless steel, creating unsightly streaks and residue.
    — Kate Van Pelt, The Spruce, 15 July 2026
  • When the House Committee smeared me on TV and sent letters chastising Northwestern during the Biden administration, suddenly my Palestine solidarity speech became a fireable offense.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 July 2026
Definition of smear
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.

Browse Nearby Words

layoffs
lay on
layout
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Cite this Entry

“Lay on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lay%20on. Accessed 23 Jul. 2026.

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