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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
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
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
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
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in laic
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of lay
John Werner, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
Beyond lay undulating dunes and sand mountains.
—Sue Mead, Popular Science, 13 Feb. 2025
In the December e-mail chain among Riverside’s lay leadership, the city’s public preschool programs again came up as a rationale for shutting down Weekday.
—Jessica Winter, The New Yorker, 18 Jan. 2025
The department also oversees many lay movements.
—Elisabetta Povoledo, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lay
Adjective
Being in the highest tertile (one third for the lay person) of cardio health, Bhatt said, will add close to a decade to your life.
—John Werner, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
Beyond lay undulating dunes and sand mountains.
—Sue Mead, Popular Science, 13 Feb. 2025
In the December e-mail chain among Riverside’s lay leadership, the city’s public preschool programs again came up as a rationale for shutting down Weekday.
—Jessica Winter, The New Yorker, 18 Jan. 2025
The department also oversees many lay movements.
—Elisabetta Povoledo, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lay
Verb
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The Television Academy is more willing to come through for those types of films, putting Netflix in strong standing.—
Marcus Jones,
IndieWire,
5 May 2025
-
That puts even greater pressure on MSNBC to keep apace once the spinoff is complete.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
5 May 2025
Verb
-
The title nears the summit once again on both the Top Rock Albums and Top Rock & Alternative Albums rosters, settling at Nos. 2 and 3, respectively.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
4 May 2025
-
This Summer By Daisy Jones Shopping The Best Nontoxic Sunscreens, According to Dermatologists By Jenny Berg Born in Kampala and raised for a time in Cape Town, Mamdani later settled with Nair and his father, academic and writer Mahmood Mamdani, in the Morningside Heights neighborhood of New York.—
Emma Specter,
Vogue,
4 May 2025
Verb
-
But with Trump imposing punishing tariffs on all Chinese imports, the millions of Americans who became reliant on those sites could find those cheap goods less affordable.—
Ramishah Maruf,
CNN Money,
3 May 2025
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That same month, the Trump Administration imposed tariffs of ten per cent on all Chinese imports.—
Oliver Whang,
New Yorker,
3 May 2025
Verb
-
The region famously prepares its tea through pan frying and steaming methods, too, which yields unique and vivid expressions.—
Adam Hurly,
Robb Report,
4 May 2025
-
Currently, the world’s cardinals are preparing for the papal conclave this Wednesday, hosting general congregations ahead of the Vatican event that will see the Sistine Chapel’s ceremonial chimney eventually release white smoke in celebration of the election of the 267th pope.—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
4 May 2025
Verb
-
Research has consistently singled out the powerful role social media plays in fomenting and spreading antisemitism.—
Jessica Guynn,
USA Today,
9 May 2025
-
Controlling a fire means ensuring that the fire can't spread or cross the containment line.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
8 May 2025
Verb
-
Try betting on a first field goal or another early outcome to receive the bonus as soon as possible.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 May 2025
-
The betting pick is for Muhammad to grind out a decision win.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
10 May 2025
Verb
-
For Powell to ascribe to the Fed a role in pushing back against Trump’s expressed economic ignorance reveals Powell as Trump’s equal on the matter of economics, and equally delusional.—
John Tamny,
Forbes.com,
27 Apr. 2025
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Retirement experts ascribe much of the progress to evolving strategies that encourage more workers to save for retirement.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Here in Paris, he is technically buried on American soil: earth from the Battle of Bunker Hill.—
Patt Morrison,
Los Angeles Times,
3 May 2025
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Prominent government leaders like John F. Kennedy and Thurgood Marshall, as well as famous women including Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Grace Hopper, are buried here, too.—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
3 May 2025
Video
Lay vs. Lie
Editor Emily Brewster clarifies the difference.
Cite this Entry
“Lay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lay. Accessed 18 May. 2025.
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