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
In 1908 a significant court ruling determined that only those born to Parsi fathers are recognized by the state as Parsi, laying the groundwork for more than a century of exclusion.
—
Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 21 June 2026
While Skyports and other facility developers are literally laying the groundwork, companies large and small are busy developing the new aircraft.
—Anne Kadet, Curbed, 19 June 2026
Cinema would be lesser too, since those directors included the likes of John Frankenheimer, Sidney Lumet, George Roy Hill and Arthur Penn, who learned to work fast and to prioritize performance, laying the foundation for the American independent film of the 1960s and 1970s.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 19 June 2026
Next, start laying deck boards and securing them.
—Perri Ormont Blumberg, Architectural Digest, 19 June 2026
Seven suspects were arrested and charged with a slew of crimes, including participation in street racing, reckless driving exhibitions, laying drag, attempting to elude, and failure to display a license plate, among other charges.
—CBS News, 18 June 2026
Unfortunately, companies that neglect laying a lean foundation are more likely to only see these solutions as easier ways to compile reports and visualize data.
—David Caines, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026
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
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
Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 21 June 2026
While Skyports and other facility developers are literally laying the groundwork, companies large and small are busy developing the new aircraft.
—Anne Kadet, Curbed, 19 June 2026
Cinema would be lesser too, since those directors included the likes of John Frankenheimer, Sidney Lumet, George Roy Hill and Arthur Penn, who learned to work fast and to prioritize performance, laying the foundation for the American independent film of the 1960s and 1970s.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 19 June 2026
Next, start laying deck boards and securing them.
—Perri Ormont Blumberg, Architectural Digest, 19 June 2026
Seven suspects were arrested and charged with a slew of crimes, including participation in street racing, reckless driving exhibitions, laying drag, attempting to elude, and failure to display a license plate, among other charges.
—CBS News, 18 June 2026
Unfortunately, companies that neglect laying a lean foundation are more likely to only see these solutions as easier ways to compile reports and visualize data.
—David Caines, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for laying
Verb
-
Then there’s writing it, and then there’s putting it out.—
Holly Gleason,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
-
Despite her shooting woes, Clark still controlled the game by consistently putting teammates in position to score.—
James Boyd,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
After settling along India’s west coast, many Parsis built their lives as merchants in bustling ports.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
21 June 2026
-
That challenges our previous assumption that plague spillover was a side effect of people taking up farming and settling in permanent villages and towns, living closer to each other and to an assortment of animals (and their fleas).—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
For most of American history, the institutions capable of imposing orthodoxy were governments, churches, political parties, universities, and major media organizations.—
Joseph Andrew,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2026
-
Most of the film’s cast is expected to attend the glitzy world premiere at the festival later this evening, taking place at Taormina’s imposing Greek theater.—
Rafa Sales Ross,
Variety,
13 June 2026
Verb
-
Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias also is widely considered to be preparing a run for mayor.—
Todd Feurer,
CBS News,
15 June 2026
-
Public health officials have been preparing for months, said Philadelphia’s Raval-Nelson, including with mock emergency drills and communications with counterparts around the country.—
Lauran Neergaard,
Los Angeles Times,
15 June 2026
Verb
-
Gojko Culibrk Cellphone videos captured thatch-roof structures engulfed in fast-spreading flames across the beachside resort.—
Faris Tanyos,
CBS News,
20 June 2026
-
Migrating birds may also be a culprit for spreading the virus, Clifton said.—
Claire Murphy,
Chicago Tribune,
19 June 2026
Verb
-
After acquiring Garrett and two-time All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie in high-profile offseason trades, the Rams have emerged as the betting favorites to win Super Bowl LXI.—
Jeff Howe,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
-
Wagering has jumped to the forefront of college football as Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby won a court order early last week that restored his eligibility and set aside a ban by the NCAA for betting on pro and college sports.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 June 2026
Verb
-
In January, West issued a public apology for his antisemitic comments in a full-page advertisement in The Wall Street Journal, attributing his behavior to struggles with bipolar disorder.—
CBS Miami Team,
CBS News,
15 June 2026
-
Analysts suggest investors are paying a significant premium, attributing much of the company's worth to Musk, mirroring Tesla's market cap.—
Peter Cohan,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
Yet following closely behind is Noah Scanlon (Colin Firth), Wardex’s nervy CEO, who’s intent on burying the facts out of fear that humanity can’t handle this mind-expanding knowledge.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
9 June 2026
-
Keep the language concrete and avoid burying the point under explanation.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
6 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Laying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/laying. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
