as in to store
to put (something of future use or value) in a safe or secret place
the weather forecast warned of a severe storm, so we laid away a generous supply of bottled water and canned food just in case
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in installment plan
Related Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of lay away
Tom Hyland, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2021
Jim Harrington, The Mercury News, 15 Jan. 2025
Adopted from South Korea as a baby, she was raised lovingly by parents who did their best, recalling a home where household goods were often purchased on layaway.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 15 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lay away
Verb
Yet, despite the tannins, Freisa is not a wine to lay away in most examples, but rather one that should be enjoyed early on, often chilled, with soups, seafood or lighter meats.
—Tom Hyland, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2021
Noun
There is also a layaway plan for single-day general admission tickets that starts at $50.
—Jim Harrington, The Mercury News, 15 Jan. 2025
Adopted from South Korea as a baby, she was raised lovingly by parents who did their best, recalling a home where household goods were often purchased on layaway.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 15 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lay away
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lay away
Verb
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That stored energy releases in a snap, propelling the robot into the air.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Mar. 2026
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The bill would also limit how long that data could be stored, though Zamora Wilson and Amabile eased that provision last week.—
Seth Klamann,
Denver Post,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
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In February 2009, former Diamondbacks CEO Jeff Moorad became the Padres’ CEO and presumptive team owner after majority owner John Moores agreed to a three-year installment plan to transfer control of the club.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Feb. 2026
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The company introduced installment plans, letting customers pay for sewing machines over time.—
Paula de la Cruz,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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This also means that the jacket is lightweight enough to stash on the uphill and warm enough to offer protection on the ski down.—
Outside,
Outside,
28 Feb. 2026
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Sellers should rent a storage unit or have a pod delivered to them to temporarily stash belongings while showing the home, says Bell.—
Sheila Kim,
The Spruce,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The interest group’s website makes clear that credit for the contribution goes to both the donor and AIPAC itself, thereby strengthening its ties with key officials by soliciting donations for them.—
Robert Schmad,
The Washington Examiner,
3 Mar. 2026
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Headline-grabbing cases of apparent fraud at companies like Carriox (which allegedly misled its private-credit lenders) and auto lender Tricolor (where banks got hoodwinked) show there’s plenty of blame to go around.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The second fragment of fabric (Tx2) lay in a large domestic house—also destroyed by fire—which contained six rooms lined with storage vessels and clay chests.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
22 Feb. 2026
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Part of her genius lay in the ability to discover meaning where no one else imagined it could be found.—
Judith Shulevitz,
The Atlantic,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Texas Christian University Horned Frogs forward Marta Suárez (7) lays up a first half shot against the Houston Cougars during the first half at Schollmaier Arena in Fort Worth, February 4, 2026.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
5 Feb. 2026
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The only time the Fitzgerald made it to its homeport of Milwaukee was when the ship was laid up during the 1959 steel strike, from June to October.—
Caitlin Looby,
jsonline.com,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Flip the script and set up an entryway for staying put by placing a comfy daybed by the door.—
Leanne Potts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
2 Oct. 2025
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Shares jumped nearly 9% on the news Friday and traded roughly 2½ times the average daily options volume, with calls outpacing puts by well over 4:1.—
Michael Khouw,
CNBC,
21 July 2025
Video
Lay vs. Lie
Editor Emily Brewster clarifies the difference.
Cite this Entry
“Lay away.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lay%20away. Accessed 3 Mar. 2026.
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