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
-
The attack spread fear and alarm through Britain's Jewish community.—
KRUTIKA PATHI,
Arkansas Online,
24 Mar. 2026 -
The other villagers — mostly women and children — sit just beyond the sandbag perimeter, under the shade of some trees, spreading more cassava on bamboo trays in preparation for drying.—
Noo Saro-Wiwa,
The Dial,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Based on my experience working in the federal government, your chances of staying employed and being promoted depend on whomever your supervisor favors in the office.—
Letters to the Editor,
Washington Post,
23 Mar. 2026
-
So this lime had been employed to both build and rebuild the city.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Eligible establishments would have to apply, and pay a $500 application fee.—
Nikki DeMentri,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
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This also applies to bedding—trading a heavy winter-time duvet for one with a lighter material like a linen or cotton percale can be a nice refresh.—
Elly Leavitt,
Vogue,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In 1958, Golestan, having just opened his own studio, hired Farrokhzad, who was already well known for boldly candid love poetry, as an assistant.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
27 Mar. 2026
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Court documents show the suspects allegedly lured a private driver, who was hired by Arnold, and his two associates to an apartment in Tampa.—
DeJanay Booth-Singleton,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In their own realms, General Relativity and the Standard Model can each lay claim to be the most successful physics theory of all-time.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
24 Mar. 2026
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Still, Trump’s key Middle East envoys are reportedly laying groundwork for potential peace talks, with messages passed between Washington and Tehran via intermediaries.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
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While recruiting Waddle to Alabama, legendary ex-HC Nick Saban told him there would be no guarantees; the Crimson Tide already had future first-round draft picks Jerry Jeudy, DeVonta Smith and Henry Ruggs III in the room, after all.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
22 Mar. 2026
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His track record of recruiting, developing and connecting with student-athletes stood out, and his vision and leadership acumen was unmatched.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Mullin did not apologize for his remarks and instead accused Paul of smearing his character.—
Andrea Castillo,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Mar. 2026
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The pigment lasts all day without smearing.—
Catharine Malzahn,
Glamour,
18 Mar. 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 28 Mar. 2026.
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