1
as in putting
to arrange something in a certain spot or position
just lay the book over there on the table for now
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in settling
to cause to come to rest at the bottom (as of a liquid)
the rain was just hard enough to lay the dust in the air
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in imposing
to establish or apply as a charge or penalty
state officials tried to lay a tax on merchandise sold over the Internet
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in preparing
to make ready in advance
she's laying plans for the charity auction months ahead of time
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in spreading
to put a layer of on a surface
the mason laid mortar over the first row of bricks before starting the second
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in betting
to risk (something) on the outcome of an uncertain event
I'll lay five dollars that you can't do it
Synonyms & Similar Words
7
as in attributing
to explain (something) as being the result of something else
an electrical fire that was laid to faulty wiring
Synonyms & Similar Words
8
as in burying
to place (a dead body) in the earth, a tomb, or the sea
lay the corpse to rest
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of laying
Nadal has long been laying the foundation for a business portfolio that spans health, sport and education.
—
Leonie Kidd,
CNBC,
3 July 2026
The eggs are bound together by a super-glue-like mucus the mother produces while laying them, making an exact count difficult.
—
Ashley Miznazi,
Miami Herald,
2 July 2026
The video explores how robotic missions, lunar resources, nuclear power, and advanced spacecraft systems are laying the foundation for future human missions.
—
Paid Content By Lockheed Martin,
FOXNews.com,
1 July 2026
There were 315 million egg-laying hens in the US on March 1, an 8% jump from a year earlier and the most for March since 2022, so prices are expected to keep sliding through the rest of the year.
—
Ryan Brennan,
Kansas City Star,
1 July 2026
Mexican fruit flies are one of the world’s most destructive pests when laying their eggs, destroying or damaging fruit such as apples, grapefruits, avocados, peaches and pears, according to the California Department of Food and Agriculture.
—
Kori McNair,
Los Angeles Times,
30 June 2026
The Republican National Committee began laying the groundwork earlier this year, voting at its winter meeting in January to make such an event possible by amending procedures centered around quadrennial presidential nominating conventions.
—
ABC News,
30 June 2026
Hens start laying between 18 and 22 weeks old and produce four to six eggs a week from productive breeds, with a noticeable dip in winter.
—
Ryan Brennan,
Sacbee.com,
30 June 2026
Ground robots are hauling ammunition, evacuating wounded troops, laying mines, and increasingly carrying weapons into combat as Ukraine tries to replace as many frontline tasks as possible with machines.
—
David Kirichenko,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2026
Leonie Kidd,
CNBC,
3 July 2026
The eggs are bound together by a super-glue-like mucus the mother produces while laying them, making an exact count difficult.
—
Ashley Miznazi,
Miami Herald,
2 July 2026
The video explores how robotic missions, lunar resources, nuclear power, and advanced spacecraft systems are laying the foundation for future human missions.
—
Paid Content By Lockheed Martin,
FOXNews.com,
1 July 2026
There were 315 million egg-laying hens in the US on March 1, an 8% jump from a year earlier and the most for March since 2022, so prices are expected to keep sliding through the rest of the year.
—
Ryan Brennan,
Kansas City Star,
1 July 2026
Mexican fruit flies are one of the world’s most destructive pests when laying their eggs, destroying or damaging fruit such as apples, grapefruits, avocados, peaches and pears, according to the California Department of Food and Agriculture.
—
Kori McNair,
Los Angeles Times,
30 June 2026
The Republican National Committee began laying the groundwork earlier this year, voting at its winter meeting in January to make such an event possible by amending procedures centered around quadrennial presidential nominating conventions.
—
ABC News,
30 June 2026
Hens start laying between 18 and 22 weeks old and produce four to six eggs a week from productive breeds, with a noticeable dip in winter.
—
Ryan Brennan,
Sacbee.com,
30 June 2026
Ground robots are hauling ammunition, evacuating wounded troops, laying mines, and increasingly carrying weapons into combat as Ukraine tries to replace as many frontline tasks as possible with machines.
—
David Kirichenko,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for laying
Verb
-
Pete Crow-Armstrong and Bregman both tagged and advanced on the sequence, putting runners on second and third for Suzuki.
-
Gakpo's teammates came onto the filed to support him and formed a circle around him, putting their arms around each other as the crowd cheered, as shown in another video shared by Fox Sports.
Verb
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So the new team owners took their inspiration from intimate venues like Duke University’s Cameron Indoor Stadium, settling on a capacity of 11,500 with the goal of creating a fan experience that was loud, crowded and coveted.
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While many people move abroad to expand their careers and gain international work experience, settling into a new country also means navigating unfamiliar customs, language, and routines.
Verb
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In its latest state budget that is expected to be voted on by the legislature this week, North Carolina is imposing a 6% tax on net trading fee revenue from prediction markets operating within the state, according to WRAL.
-
Colombia wasted no time imposing itself on the Portugal defense, taking two shots in the opening minutes, the first a header by Cordoba after a Diaz shot was deflected, and another by Rodriguez that went wide.
Verb
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On the 10th anniversary of the Brexit referendum, Britain is preparing for its seventh prime minister in a decade.
-
Latvian intelligence is warning that Russia is preparing possible provocations against the Baltic states or Poland, including drones or any other hybrid attacks, in an effort to pressure NATO countries to stop supporting Ukraine.
Verb
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Winslow has been on a ventilator and is now battling septic shock, with organ failure and a spreading infection.
-
Ukraine's drone revolution is spreading from the air to the ground.
Verb
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Leaders making these cuts now are betting on which outcome arrives.
-
In March, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel filed a lawsuit against Kalshi for allegedly violating the state's Lawful Sports Betting Act by allowing residents to participate in sports betting under the form of trading event contracts.
Verb
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Apple's iPhone 18 Pro is expected to see a significant price increase, with CEO Tim Cook attributing it to inflationary pressures on memory and storage components.
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The pair divorced in 2023, with Vergara later attributing the split to differing views on having children, which Manganiello disputed.
Verb
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No mother should endure the agony of cremation and/or burying their child.
-
It’s been over three decades since Wood was convicted of murdering six young women and girls and burying their bodies near El Paso – crimes for which he was nicknamed the Desert Killer.
Cite this Entry
“Laying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/laying. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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