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
The kids with the balls spent all that time hunkered down on the stairs, laying low and waiting to be allowed back to their seats.
—
The Athletic Tennis Staff, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
Football and Hollywood, two ascendant entertainment forces, were laying claim to this country, and Bob and Jane were at the center of both, with paparazzi tailing them and—imagine this—asking for permission to take a photo.
—Seth Wickersham, The Atlantic, 8 Sep. 2025
Responding officers found a deceased woman suffering from apparent gunshot wounds laying near the exit of the complex, the prosecutor's office said.
—Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
As the transportation industry continues to move toward an autonomous and connected future, International and its partners are laying the foundation for scalable logistics operations.
—Richard Bishop, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
The companies building them are laying the groundwork for a future that’s more efficient and more resilient — and, if developed thoughtfully, one that augments work without losing the critical role people play.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2025
When the woman's labor quickly began to progress, a quick-thinking hospital midwife jumped into action, throwing towels onto a couch and laying the then-expectant mother down on it.
—Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2025
The only safe way to get real fires was laying gas lines and creating gas burns, without releasing any particles in the air that would potentially cause a forest fire.
—Tomris Laffly, Time, 6 Sep. 2025
According to the study authors, early horse keepers unknowingly promoted the rise of ZFPM1 by selecting less aggressive, more manageable animals, laying the foundation for domestication.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 31 Aug. 2025
The Athletic Tennis Staff, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
Football and Hollywood, two ascendant entertainment forces, were laying claim to this country, and Bob and Jane were at the center of both, with paparazzi tailing them and—imagine this—asking for permission to take a photo.
—Seth Wickersham, The Atlantic, 8 Sep. 2025
Responding officers found a deceased woman suffering from apparent gunshot wounds laying near the exit of the complex, the prosecutor's office said.
—Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
As the transportation industry continues to move toward an autonomous and connected future, International and its partners are laying the foundation for scalable logistics operations.
—Richard Bishop, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
The companies building them are laying the groundwork for a future that’s more efficient and more resilient — and, if developed thoughtfully, one that augments work without losing the critical role people play.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2025
When the woman's labor quickly began to progress, a quick-thinking hospital midwife jumped into action, throwing towels onto a couch and laying the then-expectant mother down on it.
—Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2025
The only safe way to get real fires was laying gas lines and creating gas burns, without releasing any particles in the air that would potentially cause a forest fire.
—Tomris Laffly, Time, 6 Sep. 2025
According to the study authors, early horse keepers unknowingly promoted the rise of ZFPM1 by selecting less aggressive, more manageable animals, laying the foundation for domestication.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 31 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for laying
Verb
-
That hasn't stopped the administration from putting US tech through the wringer at home, though.—
Ryan Whitwam,
ArsTechnica,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Above all, Durbin said nothing DHS or ICE is doing at the naval base can interfere with its mission which includes putting thousands of men and women through boot camp to become sailors.—
Steve Sadin,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
So much for the dawn of a new New England era, with no-nonsense Mike Vrabel as head coach and Josh McDaniels settling in as the new/old offensive coordinator.—
Steve Buckley,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
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Solomon had retired from a career in law enforcement, and was settling into a new routine, making time for exercise and hobbies, such as splitting wood on his farm.—
Allison Aubrey,
NPR,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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And, just in time, online sports betting companies for the first time are imposing per-bet fees on Illinoisans as the companies seek to pass along new taxes imposed by Democrats in Springfield.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Sep. 2025
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Trump is trying to use the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, a law historically used for imposing economic sanctions and other penalties on foreign enemies.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
In the email exchange with University of Texas faculty who were preparing a grant application for a federal methane-reduction program, Pruett blamed the increases on inadequate infrastructure to capture the gas.—
ProPublica,
ProPublica,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Its rivals, meanwhile, are circling its customers, and one is preparing for the possibility the budget travel icon shuts down altogether.—
Leslie Josephs,
CNBC,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Along the western side, crews will work along the Sycamore Ridge Road to prevent the fire from spreading south and west.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Work from the outside edges to keep the stain from spreading.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Boumedienne could theoretically depart college after two seasons and sign in the AHL at just 19 years old, betting on himself early — again.—
Murat Ates,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Information Confirmed By Newsweek Knowing that your $5 bet instantly secures your rewards, this is a good chance to take advantage of the unique betting markets within the app.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Kentucky reported at least 1,223 work zone crashes in 2024, with officials attributing seven deaths and 298 injuries to those crashes.—
Leo Bertucci,
Louisville Courier Journal,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Sure, Ghost has his creative license to put that in a skit without anyone attributing it directly to him, but the skit was funny without joking about spousal abuse.—
Andre Gee,
Rolling Stone,
26 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
However, a Minnesota court struck down the binary trigger ban, arguing that the legislature violated the state constitution’s single-subject clause by burying the ban inside a sprawling spending bill.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Wednesday was being restrained by Isaac, the first part of his plan before burying her alive.—
Dessi Gomez,
Deadline,
4 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Laying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/laying. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
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