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
Relevance
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
Verb
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Europe’s is a false economy, spending less now, but risking spending far more if the conflict spreads in the future.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
24 Feb. 2026 -
And believe me, a person who receives warmth, love, and care from us—who washes and styles their hair—is someone who walks back into the world feeling confident, inspired, and ready to spread kindness further.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
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People of color employed at local businesses — especially restaurants — stopped coming to work for fear of arrest during their commute, forcing many to reduce their hours or close their doors altogether.—
Nick Woltman,
Twin Cities,
22 Feb. 2026
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The majority of people who stay at Hesed House are employed and could afford rent of $500 to $1,000 per month, Guzman said, but those rent levels just don’t exist in the local market.—
R. Christian Smith,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The task force is now applying that same regional coordination model to World Cup preparations.—
Cierra Morgan,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
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For nails and hair On the hair, rosehip oil can be applied to the ends, preferably diluted with a carrier oil like argon oil, to add shine and help control frizz.—
Beatrice Zocchi,
Vogue,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In February 2025, NASA hired an independent team to determine why the mission failed, examining everything from broken hardware to leadership mistakes.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
20 Feb. 2026
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The other three victims were hired guides who led the expedition.—
Grace Toohey,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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They were all laid to rest in a wooden coffin, which was a valuable material in this society.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
23 Feb. 2026
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The loafer mule emerged as a quiet breakout this season after a decade-and change of laying dormant, with Bottega Veneta, Victoria Beckham, Calvin Klein, and Celine all incorporating versions of the silhouette on their spring runways.—
Minty Mellon,
Vogue,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In addition to their robust plow operations, city officials recruited people to shovel snow, some of whom were to begin work Sunday night to get an early start on the first wave of snowfall, Mamdani said.—
Anthony Izaguirre,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Feb. 2026
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The third installment in the high-octane action series sees franchise anchor Zhang Chi (Teng Shen) recruit an all-star team to compete in a cutthroat international competition.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Instead of unsuccessfully trying to wipe off the dust buildup that has turned sticky with a damp cloth and only smearing it around, Goo Gone breaks down the tacky oils for complete and effortless removal.—
Maria Sabella,
The Spruce,
25 Feb. 2026
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The former Los Angeles fire chief has filed a lawsuit against the city, alleging that her ouster was part of an orchestrated effort to smear her conduct and decision-making so Mayor Karen Bass could avoid accountability for the most destructive wildfire in LA history.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
24 Feb. 2026
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Lay vs. Lie
Editor Emily Brewster clarifies the difference.
Cite this Entry
“Lay on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lay%20on. Accessed 27 Feb. 2026.
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