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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of laying
Because laying the fiber was no easy task and costs billions and billions of dollars.
—
Jim Cramer, CNBC, 28 Sep. 2025
Although Mikel Arteta’s team did win there in the league three seasons ago, outside of that, Arsenal have lost without even laying a glove on their opponents in four of their past five trips.
—Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 28 Sep. 2025
In the present day, Lockjaw reenters Bob and Willa’s lives with merciless force, deploying troops from his immigration taskforce on Baktan Cross, the sanctuary city where Bob and Willa have been laying low in the 16 years since Pat became Bob and baby Charlene, Willa, as the two went on the lam.
—Rory Doherty, Time, 26 Sep. 2025
The report details how Saitex is laying the ground work for brands to offer more sustainable denim.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 26 Sep. 2025
As conscription papers start to arrive, the whole community discovers that the best response to the chaos that is laying waste to their lives is to make music together.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 25 Sep. 2025
In a July 29 post to the social media platform, Minniear included snaps of himself and some picturesque locations, as well as a shot of Goulding laying nude in bed with her arm, side and thigh visible but face mostly obstructed.
—Jack Irvin, PEOPLE, 25 Sep. 2025
The photo shoot was done at the Le Bristol Paris luxury hotel where the reality TV star wore little to no makeup as she's seen laying under white sheets.
—Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 19 Sep. 2025
Nicholson and Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley both played a large role in laying the groundwork for the new panels.
—Claudia Levens, jsonline.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Jim Cramer, CNBC, 28 Sep. 2025
Although Mikel Arteta’s team did win there in the league three seasons ago, outside of that, Arsenal have lost without even laying a glove on their opponents in four of their past five trips.
—Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 28 Sep. 2025
In the present day, Lockjaw reenters Bob and Willa’s lives with merciless force, deploying troops from his immigration taskforce on Baktan Cross, the sanctuary city where Bob and Willa have been laying low in the 16 years since Pat became Bob and baby Charlene, Willa, as the two went on the lam.
—Rory Doherty, Time, 26 Sep. 2025
The report details how Saitex is laying the ground work for brands to offer more sustainable denim.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 26 Sep. 2025
As conscription papers start to arrive, the whole community discovers that the best response to the chaos that is laying waste to their lives is to make music together.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 25 Sep. 2025
In a July 29 post to the social media platform, Minniear included snaps of himself and some picturesque locations, as well as a shot of Goulding laying nude in bed with her arm, side and thigh visible but face mostly obstructed.
—Jack Irvin, PEOPLE, 25 Sep. 2025
The photo shoot was done at the Le Bristol Paris luxury hotel where the reality TV star wore little to no makeup as she's seen laying under white sheets.
—Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 19 Sep. 2025
Nicholson and Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley both played a large role in laying the groundwork for the new panels.
—Claudia Levens, jsonline.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for laying
Verb
-
Or putting one inside a carry-on just in case.—
Romina Ruiz-Goiriena,
USA Today,
4 Oct. 2025
-
Shortly thereafter, Dumas turned Birkin’s dreams of an alternative carryall into reality — gifting her with a Birkin bag prototype and putting the silhouette on the market in 1984.—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Farmingdale, New York — After a weekend of absolute bedlam at Bethpage, the dust is settling on an extraordinary Ryder Cup competition.—
Don Riddell,
CNN Money,
29 Sep. 2025
-
The Buckeyes unexpectedly trailed Washington 3-0 late in the second quarter and were one stop away from settling for a field goal, which would’ve caused Husky Stadium to erupt.—
Cameron Teague Robinson,
New York Times,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Meanwhile, for years, state legislatures have been passing laws that seek to reshape academic labor on the front end, by gutting funding for hires and imposing new criteria for appointment and retention.—
Time,
Time,
1 Oct. 2025
-
In joint second place is City’s imposing 15 victories and one defeat in 16 Premier League matches against Bournemouth.—
Ahmed Walid,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The Broncos were without timeouts, so Nix was preparing to get in position to clock the ball and give Wil Lutz a field-goal attempt.—
Nick Kosmider,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Virginia’s large population of federal workers is preparing for major disruption.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Separate the spreading root system by cutting or pulling it apart into several sections.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
29 Sep. 2025
-
Berners-Lee was spreading his wings, too.—
Julian Lucas,
New Yorker,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Sports betting operators have no influence over newsroom coverage.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Sep. 2025
-
Today, CEOs are betting their careers on AI with the same confidence the once-great video rental giant Blockbuster had in late fees.—
Mike Hoffman,
Fortune,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
But with officials attributing nearly 90% of waterway pollution to encampments, the city also had to reduce the impacts from the unhoused population as part of its permit, which proved a costly endeavor last year.—
Devan Patel,
Mercury News,
26 Sep. 2025
-
Cinema sometimes has to know how to give in to a cause, but another thing entirely is to impoverish cinema by attributing to documentary cinema a mere and strict role of denunciation.—
Rafa Sales Ross,
Variety,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The Mountain View Fire Protection District and Boulder County sheriff’s deputies responded when neighbors reported the fire, and the cult members extinguished the blaze by burying it with dirt.—
Noelle Phillips,
Denver Post,
26 Sep. 2025
-
Goldberg stared blankly into the camera before fully burying her head in her arms.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
18 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Laying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/laying. Accessed 5 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share