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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Inspired by three new Chessmen flavors — Salted Caramel, Cinnamon Sugar and Brown Butter Pecan — the board reflects a color palette of rich caramel and brown butter hues, while also incorporating a hidden compartment in the base that’s perfect for storing cookies.—
Natalia Senanayake,
PEOPLE,
21 Apr. 2026
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Plus these new collectors really do intend to use their design pieces, not store them in a tax-free haven across the Atlantic.—
David Lê,
Curbed,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
At the time, the city offered businesses a 12-month installment plan to resolve their outstanding taxes.—
City News Service,
Daily News,
4 Mar. 2026
-
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
Verb
-
It’s made with the same buttery-soft fabric as the pique pants and features two hand pockets for stashing your everyday essentials.—
Jasmine Gomez,
Travel + Leisure,
19 Apr. 2026
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If your larger pieces are already in the perfect spot, consider using small organization tools like trays or shelves that add extra space to display collectibles, stash your keys or otherwise keep your tabletops neat while offering a pop of color or print.—
Kelsey Legg,
ABC News,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Companies that relied on flexible, bespoke private credit loans during the low-rate era are now finding it harder and more expensive to roll over debt, particularly those in sectors facing structural disruption.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Howell-Baptiste is most known for her roles in the feature films Cruella, Queenpins and We Strangers as well as series credits Sugar and Barry.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Years before the rise of Instagram, Banksy figured out that the key to real influence lay in not being famous, exactly, but in being anonymous.—
Laurie Kellman,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Mar. 2026
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Years before the rise of Instagram, Banksy figured out that the key to real influence lay in not being famous, exactly, but in being anonymous.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
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But thanks to their reproductive vigor — females can lay up to 25,000 eggs in a single season — their numbers quickly hopped out of hand.—
Shi En Kim,
AZCentral.com,
13 Mar. 2026
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Summit's Javon Ross (33) lays up a ball as Lovejoy's Maddox Johnson (2) defends in the second half of a high school basketball game, Class 5A Division II state semifinal, at SUM’s Moody Coliseum, Tuesday, March 10, 2026, in University Park.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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While a few noted that the croissant had decent flavor, most were off-put by the lack of color and dough-like texture.—
Jenna Sims,
Southern Living,
7 Mar. 2026
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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
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 21 Apr. 2026.
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