Synonyms of lay

lay 1 of 4

verb

1

as in to put

to arrange something in a certain spot or position

just lay the book over there on the table for now

Synonyms & Similar Words

• put
• situate
• place
• position
• locate
• stick
• deposit
• dispose
• set
• set up
• depose
• fix
• emplace
• park
• establish
• plant
• move
• slap
• orient
• shift
• rearrange
• clap
• lock
• assemble
• carry
• plop
• collect
• reorder
• plump
• plunk
• niche
• affix
• settle
• plonk
• flop
• line up
• ensconce
• lay out
• wedge
• anchor
• rank
• plank
• plunk down
• set down
• lodge
• array
• queue
• berth

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• take
• remove
• relocate
• replace
• displace
• banish
• supersede
• supplant
• dislodge

2

as in to settle

to cause to come to rest at the bottom (as of a liquid)

the rain was just hard enough to lay the dust in the air

Synonyms & Similar Words

• settle
• clear
• filter
• sift
• clarify
• sediment
• screen
• strain
• sieve
• resettle

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• raise
• mix
• stir
• disturb
• agitate

3

as in to impose

to establish or apply as a charge or penalty

state officials tried to lay a tax on merchandise sold over the Internet

Synonyms & Similar Words

• impose
• charge
• put
• fine
• levy
• assess
• exact
• dock
• tax
• penalize
• compel
• wring
• gouge
• extort
• inflict
• force
• skin
• excise
• coerce
• wrest
• bleed
• squeeze
• milk
• wreak
• shake down
• mulct
• fleece
• set
• relay
• reapply
• reimpose

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• remit
• diminish
• lessen
• ignore
• forgive
• release
• abate
• excuse
• disregard
• pardon
• condone
• gloss (over)
• gloze (over)

4

as in to prepare

to make ready in advance

she's laying plans for the charity auction months ahead of time

Synonyms & Similar Words

• prepare
• ready
• furnish
• provide
• arrange
• fortify
• fit
• equip
• fix
• prep
• groom
• gather
• steel
• mount
• educate
• instruct
• prime
• supply
• train
• brace
• set
• spread
• gird
• arm
• school
• boot (up)
• predispose
• indoctrinate
• draw up
• batten
• gear up
• incline
• tutor
• warm (up)
• frame
• draft
• forearm
• outfit

5

as in to spread

to put a layer of on a surface

the mason laid mortar over the first row of bricks before starting the second

Synonyms & Similar Words

• spread
• apply
• smear
• sheet
• lay on
• coat
• layer
• anoint
• plaster
• dab
• slather
• blanket
• daub
• surface
• bedaub
• carpet
• cover
• besmear
• overlay
• overlie
• overspread
• mantle

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• expose
• uncover
• strip
• bare
• peel

6

as in to bet

to risk (something) on the outcome of an uncertain event

I'll lay five dollars that you can't do it

Synonyms & Similar Words

• put
• bet
• wager
• play
• offer
• go
• stake
• gamble
• bid
• speculate
• venture
• adventure
• jeopardize
• endanger
• chance
• hazard
• imperil

7

as in to ascribe

to explain (something) as being the result of something else

an electrical fire that was laid to faulty wiring

Synonyms & Similar Words

• ascribe
• attribute
• blame
• credit
• impute
• refer
• put down
• chalk up
• pin (on)
• connect
• attach
• assign
• link
• accredit
• impute (to)
• charge
• associate
• father (on)

8

as in to bury

to place (a dead body) in the earth, a tomb, or the sea

lay the corpse to rest

Synonyms & Similar Words

• bury
• inter
• tomb
• entomb
• hide
• put away
• inhume
• conceal
• hearse
• enshrine
• ensconce
• shield
• shade
• curtain
• cover
• obscure
• coffin
• cloak
• inurn
• enshroud
• immure
• shroud
• rebury
• reinter

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unearth
• burn
• reveal
• show
• exhume
• bare
• discover
• expose
• disinter
• disclose
• display
• exhibit
• cremate
• uncoffin

lay

2 of 4

noun (1)

1

as in melody

a rhythmic series of musical tones arranged to give a pleasing effect

the minstrel strummed a cheerful lay on his lute

Synonyms & Similar Words

• melody
• song
• tune
• air
• hymn
• strain
• warble
• rhythm
• discant
• ballad
• lyric
• meter
• cadence
• measure
• descant
• madrigal
• ditty

2

as in ballad

a short musical composition for the human voice often with instrumental accompaniment

she sang a short lay in dedication to her husband

Synonyms & Similar Words

• ballad
• song
• hymn
• vocal
• jingle
• lullaby
• lyric
• anthem
• ditty
• chorus
• carol
• psalm
• cantata
• serenade
• pop
• spiritual
• chorale
• requiem
• round
• chant
• medley
• shanty
• paean
• folk song
• lament
• rocker
• dirge
• blues
• aria
• art song
• croon
• glee
• fight song
• canticle
• hallelujah
• discant
• drinking song
• threnody
• descant
• chanty
• roundelay
• standard
• cover
• madrigal
• noel
• part-song
• motet
• barcarolle
• chanson
• torch song
• barcarole
• remix
• chantey

lay

3 of 4

noun (2)

as in work

the activity by which one regularly makes a living

my main lay is as a general contractor, but I do side work as a carpenter

Synonyms & Similar Words

• work
• vocation
• profession
• line
• occupation
• employment
• calling
• trade
• game
• duty
• job
• place
• call
• living
• position
• task
• mission
• business
• field
• assignment
• livelihood
• enterprise
• office
• load
• art
• function
• engagement
• racket
• lifework
• situation
• craft
• post
• gig
• metier
• appointment
• billet
• workload
• métier
• berth
• handicraft
• handcraft

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• pursuit
• hobby
• avocation

lay

4 of 4

adjective

as in laic

Synonyms & Similar Words

• laic
• godless
• pagan
• irreligious
• atheistic
• nonclerical
• earthly
• secular
• laical
• paganish
• temporal
• physical
• nondenominational
• worldly
• nonsectarian
• substantial
• terrestrial
• religionless
• bodily
• mundane
• profane
• corporal
• unhallowed
• nonreligious
• terrene
• material
• unconsecrated
• impious
• fleshly
• sacrilegious
• carnal
• blasphemous
• irreverent

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• religious
• sacred
• spiritual
• divine
• holy
• consecrated
• hallowed
• pious
• devout
• prayerful
• godly
• reverent
• sacrosanct
• metaphysical
• worshipful
• immaterial
• insubstantial
• sanctified
• ethereal
• unsubstantial
• incorporeal
• churchly
• nonphysical
• bodiless

Phrases Containing lay

• lay an egg
• lay away
• lay by
• lay down
• lay eyes on
• lay figure
• lay hold of
• lay in
• lay into
• lay off
• lay off (of)
• lay on
• lay out
• lay over
• lay siege to
• lay up

Video

Lay vs. Lie

Editor Emily Brewster clarifies the difference.