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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of lay down
Then my sister lay down next to me.
—
NPR, 26 Nov. 2025
Millions of Russian men, unwilling to take on lower-status work, lay down on the couch and took to drink.
—Julia Ioffe, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2025
Second, disassociate from Hamas and other terrorist groups, including Iran, lay down all arms, and come to the table with a plan to live in harmony with Israel.
—Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 10 Oct. 2025
Hamas fighters who lay down their arms will also be given amnesty and allowed to leave Gaza under the plan.
—Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 4 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lay down
NPR, 26 Nov. 2025
Millions of Russian men, unwilling to take on lower-status work, lay down on the couch and took to drink.
—Julia Ioffe, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2025
Second, disassociate from Hamas and other terrorist groups, including Iran, lay down all arms, and come to the table with a plan to live in harmony with Israel.
—Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 10 Oct. 2025
Hamas fighters who lay down their arms will also be given amnesty and allowed to leave Gaza under the plan.
—Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 4 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lay down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lay down
Verb
-
Apply it retroactively That necessary restriction would apply retroactively, even if the bill is enacted later.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Crockett emphasized that people need to play their part in enacting change.—
Elissa Jorgensen,
Dallas Morning News,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Massachusetts state of emergency The governor said declaring a state of emergency allows the state to respond quickly and deploy resources during the storm.—
Matt Schooley,
CBS News,
22 Feb. 2026
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The president fuming and calling the decision a disgrace, has now turned to a provision in the law never before used by a president, to declare a new across the board 15 percent tariff on all nations.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The department did not specify where the DNA was found.—
Brendan Morrow,
USA Today,
16 Feb. 2026
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Officials did not specify the relationship between Carmona and the child.—
Elissa Jorgensen,
Dallas Morning News,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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McDuffie is highly unlikely to generate the same return that, say, cornerback Sauce Gardner did just three months ago — the Colts relinquished two first-round picks and wide receiver Adonai Mitchell to the New York Jets in exchange for Gardner.—
Sam McDowell
February 20,
Kansas City Star,
20 Feb. 2026
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Riley was the head coach and team president for the Heat’s first NBA championship in 2006 before relinquishing those duties to Spoelstra in 2008.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Posey seems to want to pass this off as prudence.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
18 Feb. 2026
-
New York state passed a similar effort in 2023.—
Kate Wolffe,
Sacbee.com,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The Daily News has a duty to verify facts asserted in op-eds.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
16 Feb. 2026
-
In a January 16 court filing supporting criminal charges against the two men, the DOJ asserted Aljorna was the one driving the vehicle.—
Emma Tucker,
CNN Money,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy approached bags with the same consideration that defined the rest of her wardrobe.—
Julia Rabinowitsch,
Vogue,
20 Feb. 2026
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While emotional awareness is a strength, kids also need guidance so feelings and diagnoses inform them, not define them.—
Beth Ann Mayer,
Parents,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Beer that turned green − possibly a chemical reaction with the drugs Dominque Pelicot had been slipping into her drinks and food to render her unconscious for the rapes.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
18 Feb. 2026
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However, last week the environmental groups submitted filings that requested the panel conduct oral arguments before rendering a decision.—
Rob Nikolewski,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 Feb. 2026
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 23 Feb. 2026.
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