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 goal is $100k to cover attorneys’ fees for drawing up investor documents and disclosures laying the groundwork for an offer.
—
Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 30 May 2026
Russian sources have reported drone mine-laying along sections of the land corridor to Crimea, particularly around the Mariupol–Melitopol highway.
—David Kirichenko, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026
But with the funds from the original state bill depleted, the Shark Lab will have to start laying people off in August, Lowe said.
—Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 30 May 2026
The goal of the moon base is to encourage a lunar economy while conducting scientific research and laying the foundation for a Mars expedition, Isaacman stressed.
—Marcia Dunn, Fortune, 27 May 2026
Meanwhile, local Democrats have been laying the groundwork to run a last minute race less than three months before the primary.
—Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 27 May 2026
Carlos, who asked to be referred to by his first name, was one of several detainees whose testimony was presented in writing at a bench trial presided over by Judge Lewis Kaplan, along with ICE records laying bare crowded conditions and severe health hazards.
—Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 27 May 2026
Ditto for Bunnell, who began laying the groundwork for Obsession‘s release six months ago, reaching out to both Alamo Drafthouse and AMC Theatres to whip up interest in terms of working together to promote the film.
—Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 27 May 2026
The goal of the moon base is to encourage a lunar economy while conducting scientific research and laying the foundation for a Mars expedition, Isaacman stressed.
—CBS News, 26 May 2026
Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 30 May 2026
Russian sources have reported drone mine-laying along sections of the land corridor to Crimea, particularly around the Mariupol–Melitopol highway.
—David Kirichenko, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026
But with the funds from the original state bill depleted, the Shark Lab will have to start laying people off in August, Lowe said.
—Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 30 May 2026
The goal of the moon base is to encourage a lunar economy while conducting scientific research and laying the foundation for a Mars expedition, Isaacman stressed.
—Marcia Dunn, Fortune, 27 May 2026
Meanwhile, local Democrats have been laying the groundwork to run a last minute race less than three months before the primary.
—Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 27 May 2026
Carlos, who asked to be referred to by his first name, was one of several detainees whose testimony was presented in writing at a bench trial presided over by Judge Lewis Kaplan, along with ICE records laying bare crowded conditions and severe health hazards.
—Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 27 May 2026
Ditto for Bunnell, who began laying the groundwork for Obsession‘s release six months ago, reaching out to both Alamo Drafthouse and AMC Theatres to whip up interest in terms of working together to promote the film.
—Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 27 May 2026
The goal of the moon base is to encourage a lunar economy while conducting scientific research and laying the foundation for a Mars expedition, Isaacman stressed.
—CBS News, 26 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for laying
Verb
-
Ironically, the best path forward for programs like that would be a wealthy donor putting money into the program.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
4 June 2026
-
The Spurs will leave him open to shoot, putting an emphasis on him to knock his shots down.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
Medeiros scored on a wild pitch by Aiden Robinson (seven innings, three strikeouts), who dealt with early command issues before settling into a groove.—
Justin Barrasso,
Boston Herald,
30 May 2026
-
So the people settling Adelaide were not the convicts.—
AFAR Media,
AFAR Media,
30 May 2026
Verb
-
The neighborhood/area The boho-chic Oltrarno neighborhood is an eclectic mix of imposing palazzi, elegant antique shops, quirky boutiques and a plethora of cafés, bars, and restaurants.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
Government interference in the market — using taxpayer money to build affordable housing, subsidizing mortgages, imposing zoning restrictions — creates another set of disincentives.—
Allison Schrager,
Boston Herald,
31 May 2026
Verb
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The family had been preparing to celebrate his centennial on June 10.—
Mekishana Pierre,
Entertainment Weekly,
1 June 2026
-
Auditability is not optional, especially for any company subject to SOX or preparing for an IPO.—
Mike Whitmire,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
Verb
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Speaking of spreading the floor, Wembanyama has 20 more 3-point field goals at the end of his third season than all-time NBA 3-point leader Stephen Curry.—
Ramon Padilla,
USA Today,
29 May 2026
-
When someone dies of Ebola, their body continues to be highly contagious for seven or so days, with the virus spreading through bodily fluids.—
Gabrielle Emanuel,
NPR,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
The gambling business has been undergoing disruption thanks to online betting firms like DraftKings and FanDuel, not to mention prediction markets like Kalshi and Polymarket.—
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
1 June 2026
-
Weiss is betting Bilton can bring new viewers to the program without alienating its current crop of die-hards.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
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
-
The Virginia house of burgesses voted to thank him and the militia for their service, with the lawmakers attributing the defeat to the failure of the other colonies to come to Virginia’s aid.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 May 2026
Verb
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The utility's Storm Secure Underground Program, launched after Hurricane Irma in 2017, focuses on making the power grid more resilient by burying power lines underground and reinforcing critical overhead infrastructure.—
Shane Hinton,
CBS News,
1 June 2026
-
For weeks, strikes by the United States and Israel restricted Iran’s access to its underground missile sites by destroying roads and burying tunnel entrances.—
Tamara Qiblawi,
CNN Money,
31 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Laying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/laying. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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