1
as in to enact
to put into effect through legislative or authoritative action
the city council promises to lay down new ordinances that will force dog walkers to clean up after their animals
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to declare
to state clearly and strongly
at the risk of their popularity, the parents laid down the rules for the party and wouldn't accept any arguments
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to specify
to give the rules about (something) clearly and exactly
the supervisor laid down the procedure for a complaint of sexual harassment
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in to relinquish
to give (something) over to the control or possession of another usually under duress
commanded the surrounded troops to lay down their weapons
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of lay down
In recent decades, as China has laid down vast networks of high-speed rail and thrown up shimmering cities, Americans have developed a deepening sense that their own country struggles to get things done.
—
The New Yorker, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025
Witnessing the Gallaghers lay down their arms to deliver one of rock music’s most triumphant comeback stories has made Shultz reflect on sharing his band — and life — with his brother, Brad.
—Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 9 Sep. 2025
Release the hostages and lay down your weapons—or Gaza will be destroyed, and you will be annihilated.
—Amira El-Fekki, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
Now the Colts, who haven’t won a season opener since 2013, won’t just see those numbers and lay down.
—Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lay down
The New Yorker, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025
Witnessing the Gallaghers lay down their arms to deliver one of rock music’s most triumphant comeback stories has made Shultz reflect on sharing his band — and life — with his brother, Brad.
—Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 9 Sep. 2025
Release the hostages and lay down your weapons—or Gaza will be destroyed, and you will be annihilated.
—Amira El-Fekki, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
Now the Colts, who haven’t won a season opener since 2013, won’t just see those numbers and lay down.
—Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lay down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lay down
Verb
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The statistics also mark a sharp increase in shooting victims under the age of 18, with the NYPD accounting for an 80% jump in incidents since the law was enacted in 2018.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
29 Sep. 2025
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When America entered the Second World War, states and cities moved to enact additional hate speech laws, in part to prevent race riots that threatened to disrupt industrial production and the war effort.—
Time,
Time,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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After the disappointing finish to his team's season, Alonso declared his intent to opt out of the second year of his contract and re-enter free agency from the Marlins' visiting clubhouse.—
Jackson Roberts,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Sep. 2025
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Sunday morning, and airport division officers declared the stowaway dead on scene, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said.—
Ayesha Ali,
ABC News,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Evidence found at the scene showed Lopez had fired multiple gunshots, but officials didn’t specify his motive, deputies said.—
Paloma Chavez,
Sacbee.com,
25 Sep. 2025
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This system requires companies to specify which main drug patent to extend after marketing authorization and before patent expiration.—
Lucy Xiaolu Wang,
The Conversation,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
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This act was the NCAA requirement the players relinquished control over their publicity rights as a condition of eligibility.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
29 Sep. 2025
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Rahm holed the shot with precious little green to work with to take a lead in the match that the Spaniard and his cherished partner, Tyrrell Hatton, never relinquished.—
Ian O'Connor,
New York Times,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Meanwhile, Julia, Lisa, and Kiki all pull the short straw and go to Alexia and Frankie’s Beauty Bar for free manicures, half-stale prosecco, and warm sushi passed around by waitstaff that aren’t even hot.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
26 Sep. 2025
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The Tattooist Act passed convincingly on Thursday afternoon with 195 votes in favor out of 202 members present, enabling non-medical professionals to obtain a license.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In a Fox Business interview, Carr mentioned that the FTC is contemplating broadening its click-to-cancel rulemaking, asserting his disagreement with the previous administration’s approach to establishing the rule.—
Jordan Green,
Nashville Tennessean,
26 Sep. 2025
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To review or object to instances where our partners assert a legitimate interest in utilizing your data, please visit our vendors page.—
Matthew Strauss,
Pitchfork,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The Great Recession stands as the generation’s defining economic event.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
27 Sep. 2025
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Saudis studying abroad lose the subtleties of the language and miss out on the culture, memes, and everything else that defines this generation.—
Manal Albarakati,
semafor.com,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In early January 2025, the Bureau of Land Management website explained the communities are in an area that climate change is rendering uninhabitable, mentioning climate eight times.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
24 Sep. 2025
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Miu Miu leaned into tradition, rendering argyle in a restrained palette that nodded to its country club roots.—
Minty Mellon,
Vogue,
24 Sep. 2025
Video
Lay vs. Lie
Editor Emily Brewster clarifies the difference.
Cite this Entry
“Lay down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lay%20down. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.
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