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
Buying water rights, boring wells, and laying a pipeline for 10 miles to the river cost $60 million in that first project.
—
Allen Best, Denver Post, 14 June 2026
The New World screwworm's larvae eat live flesh and fluids instead of dead material, with females laying their eggs in open wounds and mucous membranes after mating only once in their monthslong lives.
—Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 12 June 2026
Part of the reason is that the two companies have already started laying the groundwork for a potential tie-up.
—Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 12 June 2026
Egg-laying mammals, or the monotremes, which include the platypus and echidna, don’t.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026
There’s street racing at night, historic circuit racing by day, and one particular stretch where our hero is tasked with stealing a car from a penthouse apartment (with actual on-foot gameplay) while also laying low from police.
—Adam Ismail, The Drive, 11 June 2026
Tesla appears to be laying that groundwork now.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 11 June 2026
Powell suggested that Mancini stop laying his bat on his shoulder in his setup and elevate his hands to get in a more ready position.
—Levi Weaver, New York Times, 11 June 2026
Within months the Royal Navy had imposed an embargo on Iranian oil, and officials were laying plans for a secret invasion.
—Andrew Arsan, The New York Review of Books, 6 June 2026
Allen Best, Denver Post, 14 June 2026
The New World screwworm's larvae eat live flesh and fluids instead of dead material, with females laying their eggs in open wounds and mucous membranes after mating only once in their monthslong lives.
—Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 12 June 2026
Part of the reason is that the two companies have already started laying the groundwork for a potential tie-up.
—Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 12 June 2026
Egg-laying mammals, or the monotremes, which include the platypus and echidna, don’t.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026
There’s street racing at night, historic circuit racing by day, and one particular stretch where our hero is tasked with stealing a car from a penthouse apartment (with actual on-foot gameplay) while also laying low from police.
—Adam Ismail, The Drive, 11 June 2026
Tesla appears to be laying that groundwork now.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 11 June 2026
Powell suggested that Mancini stop laying his bat on his shoulder in his setup and elevate his hands to get in a more ready position.
—Levi Weaver, New York Times, 11 June 2026
Within months the Royal Navy had imposed an embargo on Iranian oil, and officials were laying plans for a secret invasion.
—Andrew Arsan, The New York Review of Books, 6 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for laying
Verb
-
Down by 29 at one point, the Knicks stormed all the way back, putting Madison Square Garden into a frenzy.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
11 June 2026
-
Miami Host Committee officials and local politicians were at the Fan Festival on Wednesday as workers bustled around putting the final touches on the park.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
Saturday night stays mild and muggy, with lows settling into the 70s.—
Damien Lodes,
CBS News,
13 June 2026
-
The formula is also transfer- and waterproof, resisting creasing, fading, sweat, and humidity without settling into fine lines or accentuating texture.—
Jailynn Taylor,
Allure,
13 June 2026
Verb
-
Delayed by wars, politics and funding shortfalls, Sagrada Família’s imposing but unfinished presence has dominated Barcelona’s skyline for decades.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
8 June 2026
-
The state is the country acting as a political unit and imposing its will by means of government bureaucracy, the military, and any other entity that exercises power on behalf of the country.—
Gal Beckerman,
The Atlantic,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
Police officers and members of the local hunting association are now patrolling the city and preparing to capture the bear, or bears, on the loose.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
9 June 2026
-
As visitors from abroad start to arrive, San Jose officials are busy preparing for dozens of events and watch parties to complement the six upcoming matches that will take place at Levi’s Stadium.—
Kyle Martin,
Mercury News,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
The Asian tiger mosquito, one of the most invasive insect species in Connecticut, is rapidly spreading and finding more territory in the state.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
12 June 2026
-
May 13 — The United States declares war on Mexico; news begins slowly spreading toward California.—
Kurt Snibbe,
Oc Register,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
As luxury brands search for new ways to engage top clients, Ermenegildo Zegna Group is betting on hospitality and immersive experiences.—
Ryma Chikhoune,
Footwear News,
8 June 2026
-
Yet Colin Angle, the cofounder of iRobot and one of the people behind Roomba, is betting that the next big home robot may feel less like a machine and more like a companion.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
But a retirement album this is not, and not just because Latto walked back her assertion in her interview with Nadeska, attributing the impulse to a depressive low in the new-album-and-new-motherhood process.—
Mankaprr Conteh,
Pitchfork,
4 June 2026
-
No definitive cause was reported, though the Tribune ran one story attributing the explosion to a static spark lighting the highly flammable hydrogen gas.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
23 May 2026
Verb
-
Keep the language concrete and avoid burying the point under explanation.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
6 June 2026
-
Jacob Scott Bevins, 36, is accused of inflicting forceful trauma on Aiden Bevins, leading to the boy's death before burying him under his residence, KING 5 and KATU reported on Friday, June 5.—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
6 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Laying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/laying. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
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