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
Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 3 Oct. 2025
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
Designed to be worn from head to toe, the formula layers seamlessly—leaving skin and hair lightly scented with the brand’s signature almond profile.
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 9 Feb. 2026
But this new permanent menu item layers the fountain beverages and ice cream rather than blending them together.
—Sabrina Weiss, PEOPLE, 4 Feb. 2026
In Galanin’s mercifully direct lyrics, Native dream psychology layers over intimate portrayals of kinship.
—Petala Ironcloud, Pitchfork, 20 Jan. 2026
Alternatively, the Energy Top gives a looser, more relaxed fit that still layers well and is a steal at $43.
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 8 Jan. 2026
The glasses will have a 70-degree field of view and optical see-through technology, Google said, adding that the device layers digital content into the user's physical worldview.
—Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 9 Dec. 2025
Marion then layers muscle onto the face until he's created a realistic best guess of what the person might have looked like.
—Spencer Wilson, CBS News, 5 Dec. 2025
Noun
Repeat layers twice more, omitting ricotta on the top layer.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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
Designed to be worn from head to toe, the formula layers seamlessly—leaving skin and hair lightly scented with the brand’s signature almond profile.
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 9 Feb. 2026
But this new permanent menu item layers the fountain beverages and ice cream rather than blending them together.
—Sabrina Weiss, PEOPLE, 4 Feb. 2026
In Galanin’s mercifully direct lyrics, Native dream psychology layers over intimate portrayals of kinship.
—Petala Ironcloud, Pitchfork, 20 Jan. 2026
Alternatively, the Energy Top gives a looser, more relaxed fit that still layers well and is a steal at $43.
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 8 Jan. 2026
The glasses will have a 70-degree field of view and optical see-through technology, Google said, adding that the device layers digital content into the user's physical worldview.
—Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 9 Dec. 2025
Marion then layers muscle onto the face until he's created a realistic best guess of what the person might have looked like.
—Spencer Wilson, CBS News, 5 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for layers
Noun
-
Surf here is at its peak from May to October, with breaks suitable for surfers of all levels.—
Nicole Kliest,
Vogue,
26 Feb. 2026
-
Fried food is one of the most outstanding facets of Spanish cuisine and it is crafted with expert levels of care and quality.—
Condé Nast Traveler,
Condé Nast Traveler,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
But when snow piles up in powdery white masses, Arizonans can't resist the opportunity to play in it.—
Michael Salerno,
AZCentral.com,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Smelly foods, public bathrooms, and hotel gyms are no match for these clip-on aromatherapy loops.—
Amelia McBride,
Travel + Leisure,
27 Feb. 2026
-
These contraceptive methods work by mimicking the body’s natural feedback loops to reduce spermatogenesis.—
Kenneth H. Mayer,
STAT,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
And, of course, many in Springsteen’s core demographic rarely buy tickets anymore and still complain about anything above 1985 prices… although no one can be blamed for having their eyes widen upon first exposure to the higher tiers here.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
21 Feb. 2026
-
California, which is not offering Millionaire for Life at launch, has pari-mutuel prize amounts for non-jackpot tiers in both games.—
Addy Bink,
The Hill,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
For All Mankind also debuted a new relaxed slim jean for women that stacks well over heels.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
23 Feb. 2026
-
Special enough for a holiday occasion and hearty enough for a main course, this casserole stacks bright layers of veggies drenched in our Easy Cheese Sauce.—
Cameron Beall,
Southern Living,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The top echelons of the Islamic Republic boast a deep bench of mostly hard-liners — not surprising, perhaps, for a nation that has braced for attack for years, if not decades.—
Nabih Bulos,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Mar. 2026
-
The show follows Wiig’s wannabe patrician Maxine Dellacorte-Simmons, who is hell-bent on becoming the belle of 1960’s Palm Beach by elbowing her way into the upper echelons of Florida’s most exclusive beach club, the Palm Royale.—
Jack Dunn,
Variety,
3 Mar. 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 5 Mar. 2026.
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