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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of lay down
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
If weeds or grass were already growing in the area, lay down some weed barrier fabric or a layer of mulch, cardboard, or newspaper to prevent the weeds from regrowing.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lay down
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
If weeds or grass were already growing in the area, lay down some weed barrier fabric or a layer of mulch, cardboard, or newspaper to prevent the weeds from regrowing.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lay down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lay down
Verb
-
Any plan for dividend checks would likely require new legislation passed by Congress, but no solid plans have been enacted.—
Marina Johnson,
Louisville Courier Journal,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Now, Loogootee has enacted another special events policy that mirrors several measures in the one that the court struck down.—
Cate Charron,
IndyStar,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
One of the victims, 18-year-old Kim Kha Huynh, was declared dead at the scene, while a second victim, 34-year-old Phuc Minh Vo of San Jose, died three days later in the hospital.—
Richard Ramos,
CBS News,
13 Jan. 2026
-
President Daniel Noboa launched an armed campaign against gangs and declared states of emergency in several provinces, including Manabi, deploying the military to support police operations.—
Emma Bussey,
FOXNews.com,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The guidelines include changes to alcohol recommendations, no longer specifying appropriate limits for men and women.—
Vanessa Etienne,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
-
It was not specified whether any weapons were involved in the fight.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
As Buffett relinquishes the helm, investors are increasingly focused on what disappears with him.—
Yun Li,
CNBC,
1 Jan. 2026
-
More typically, the figures in Marshall’s art are haunted by a past that refuses to relinquish its tenacious hold.—
James Meyer,
Artforum,
1 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Idaho has history of laws targeting trans people Over the past several years, the Idaho Legislature and lawmakers across the country have passed a series of bills targeting transgender youth and adults, several of which are now being litigated.—
Becca Savransky,
Idaho Statesman,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Recall that a year prior to Wardlaw passing her hot check, criminal court records confirm her guilty disposition for the crime of skipping out on a wholly different criminal-court appearance, which is a class C misdemeanor.—
Robert Steinbuch,
Arkansas Online,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The complaint asserts that Minneapolis and Saint Paul have been forced to divert officers from their usual duties to respond to incidents involving federal immigration enforcement, undermining local efforts to protect the community.—
Danya Gainor,
CNN Money,
13 Jan. 2026
-
In an interview, Lawson-Remer asserted the board’s authority to control the county’s finances and budget.—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Davis’ injury is the latest — and potentially most damaging — blow in a Mavericks season defined by attrition.—
Mike Curtis,
Dallas Morning News,
10 Jan. 2026
-
While its character may be defined by its history—ask the staff about its connections to Jackie O and George Washington—the inn embraces all of the modern comforts.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
This transformation renders the target — the frozen limit — a finite object that a finite computer can handle.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Its three glittering diamonds had a powerful effect on Sophie Rhys-Jones—rendering her speechless.—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
9 Jan. 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 14 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share