as in piles
to form or arrange parts or pieces of something on top of each other; to form or arrange (something) in layers
The next step in the recipe is to layer the pasta and the sauce in the pan. We layered the fruit with whipped cream and served it with cookies.
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Recent Examples of layers
Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 15 Apr. 2026
Look at the layers of soil and grass and measure how thick the layer of thatch is.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 12 Mar. 2026
Chiara Kim, PEOPLE, 22 Apr. 2026
The firm’s interiors feel daring yet steeped in design history, and the designer masterfully layers bold color palettes and whimsical patterns.
—Dan Howarth, Architectural Digest, 19 Apr. 2026
Debić layers the egg tulip blooms onto a serving tray, then uses long scallions at the base of each egg to create the tulip stems.
—Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Apr. 2026
Colorado Opening June 2026 White Elephant Aspen is set to introduce a modern mountain aesthetic to the area with a contemporary 54-room hotel that layers leather and stone design elements with local artwork.
—Melinda Sheckells, HollywoodReporter, 24 Mar. 2026
With a serum-like texture, the formula layers seamlessly under makeup, and delivers a dewy finish.
—Jenny Berg, Vogue, 16 Mar. 2026
Here, a guest layers hers underneath a sweater, pairs with a matching ensemble, and black kitten heels–proof that even a tiny peek of white can add instant dimension to a look.
—Amanda Le, InStyle, 3 Mar. 2026
The event layers opera, dance, theater, and music performances on top of an already vibrant city.
—Karla Walsh, Southern Living, 17 Feb. 2026
Rather than allowing its typical lightness, Benning layers their brushstrokes purposefully so as to establish new kinds of relationships, both pictorial and material.
—Alex Bacon, Artforum, 10 Feb. 2026
Noun
It’s also made with five foam layers that create a balanced feel, starting with a soft, quilted top layer that gives it an instantly cozy finish.
—Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 15 Apr. 2026
Look at the layers of soil and grass and measure how thick the layer of thatch is.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 12 Mar. 2026
Verb
The Spicy Brisket Sub layers the protein with Colby Jack cheese, jalapeños, Publix Fried Onions and Sweet & Spicy BBQ Sauce.
—Chiara Kim, PEOPLE, 22 Apr. 2026
The firm’s interiors feel daring yet steeped in design history, and the designer masterfully layers bold color palettes and whimsical patterns.
—Dan Howarth, Architectural Digest, 19 Apr. 2026
Debić layers the egg tulip blooms onto a serving tray, then uses long scallions at the base of each egg to create the tulip stems.
—Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Apr. 2026
Colorado Opening June 2026 White Elephant Aspen is set to introduce a modern mountain aesthetic to the area with a contemporary 54-room hotel that layers leather and stone design elements with local artwork.
—Melinda Sheckells, HollywoodReporter, 24 Mar. 2026
With a serum-like texture, the formula layers seamlessly under makeup, and delivers a dewy finish.
—Jenny Berg, Vogue, 16 Mar. 2026
Here, a guest layers hers underneath a sweater, pairs with a matching ensemble, and black kitten heels–proof that even a tiny peek of white can add instant dimension to a look.
—Amanda Le, InStyle, 3 Mar. 2026
The event layers opera, dance, theater, and music performances on top of an already vibrant city.
—Karla Walsh, Southern Living, 17 Feb. 2026
Rather than allowing its typical lightness, Benning layers their brushstrokes purposefully so as to establish new kinds of relationships, both pictorial and material.
—Alex Bacon, Artforum, 10 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for layers
Noun
-
But as online marketplaces widen their delivery network across the country and social media marketing levels the playing field, direct-to-consumer, or D2C, brands are on the rise in India, according to experts.—
Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
7 May 2026
-
These are trade-offs that can be negotiated, at both the local and national levels, to benefit our communities.—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus,
New Yorker,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
More specifically — and without spoiling a story that piles the twists as high as the corpses — Pine's an ex-British soldier pulled from his porter duties and recruited to surveil a ruthless arms dealer, Richard Roper (Hugh Laurie) staying at the hotel.—
Matt Cabral,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 Apr. 2026
-
The result piles more pressure on Starmer, the least popular prime minister since records began, according to some polls.—
Alexander Smith,
NBC news,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
While the Houthis suspended the attacks in fall 2025, container shipping has still been reticent about sending loops through the area full time.—
Glenn Taylor,
Footwear News,
4 May 2026
-
Stylish yet functional, the pants are designed with front pleats, belt loops, and side flap pockets similar to Oprah’s pair.—
Emily Weaver,
PEOPLE,
4 May 2026
Noun
-
Every dollar spent earns one point, with rewards tiers structured as Member (up to 299 points), VIP (300 to 599 points), and All-Access (600+ points).—
Jessica Chapel,
Condé Nast Traveler,
6 May 2026
-
But 95% of those users are on free tiers.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
The side table unfolds into six stools for gatherings, then neatly stacks back together into a stylish end piece.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
26 Apr. 2026
-
At home, Jonathan Wright, director of the Indianapolis art museum's park and gardens, stuffs in the plants, stacks the pots, and lets everything grow.—
Teresa Woodard,
Midwest Living,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Such an agreement would require battling — and even dismantling — an entrenched and incompetent bureaucracy to speed up economic reforms, and getting rid of old-school historic commanders and everyone else in the government, the Communist Party and the top military echelons standing in the way.—
Nora Gámez Torres,
Miami Herald,
23 Apr. 2026
-
From the upper echelons of global logistics to the cutting edge of industrial energy, this week’s business landscape is defined by transition and rapid scaling.—
Arthur Zaczkiewicz,
Footwear News,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
For this super laidback, windchill-ready look, Hadid wore a beanie hat over her plaits, ski goggle-like black sunglasses, and black leather gloves.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
3 Jan. 2026
-
Low-tension styles are no longer just a few neat plaits.—
Donnetta Monk,
Essence,
21 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Overly Elaborate Pleats Heavy, elaborate pleats can make curtains look stiff and overly formal, which is why designers are favoring simpler, more elegant pleat styles.—
Sophie Flaxman,
Better Homes & Gardens,
29 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Layers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/layers. Accessed 7 May. 2026.
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