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
Aa growing number of Chinese companies are laying the groundwork for an unprecedented expansion of satellite infrastructure.
—
Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 11 Jan. 2026
But there’s something very useful about laying plain how easy this test should be for the leader of the free world, and how anyone who boasts about crushing it has, in many aspects, failed it in a brand-new way.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 9 Jan. 2026
What matters is that Ross has cleaned the land and is laying a new foundation for this franchise.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 8 Jan. 2026
On March 10, SDF commander Mazloum Abdi signed an agreement with al Sharaa, laying the groundwork for the SDF’s reintegrating into Syria.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 8 Jan. 2026
The Ravens have had two franchise quarterbacks since 2008, laying a sturdy bridge from the very good Joe Flacco to the two-time MVP Lamar Jackson.
—Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2026
Despite slowing residential gas demand, New York is on a costly and unsustainable gas-pipe laying spree that locks in 9–10% profits for utilities.
—Anshul Gupta, New York Daily News, 7 Jan. 2026
Overthrowing the Venezuelan government and laying claim to its oil reserves.
—Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 7 Jan. 2026
Off the ice, Pulford was the first president of the players union, taking part in early collective bargaining and laying the foundation for the modern NHLPA.
—Los Angeles Times, 6 Jan. 2026
Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 11 Jan. 2026
But there’s something very useful about laying plain how easy this test should be for the leader of the free world, and how anyone who boasts about crushing it has, in many aspects, failed it in a brand-new way.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 9 Jan. 2026
What matters is that Ross has cleaned the land and is laying a new foundation for this franchise.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 8 Jan. 2026
On March 10, SDF commander Mazloum Abdi signed an agreement with al Sharaa, laying the groundwork for the SDF’s reintegrating into Syria.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 8 Jan. 2026
The Ravens have had two franchise quarterbacks since 2008, laying a sturdy bridge from the very good Joe Flacco to the two-time MVP Lamar Jackson.
—Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2026
Despite slowing residential gas demand, New York is on a costly and unsustainable gas-pipe laying spree that locks in 9–10% profits for utilities.
—Anshul Gupta, New York Daily News, 7 Jan. 2026
Overthrowing the Venezuelan government and laying claim to its oil reserves.
—Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 7 Jan. 2026
Off the ice, Pulford was the first president of the players union, taking part in early collective bargaining and laying the foundation for the modern NHLPA.
—Los Angeles Times, 6 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for laying
Verb
-
Quick was hardly to blame for New York's eighth defeat in nine games, with mistakes by teammates in front of him putting the veteran goaltender in all sorts of difficult positions.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
15 Jan. 2026
-
So, not surprisingly, Mars is putting even more shows on sale.—
Jim Harrington,
Mercury News,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
This counterproductive score-settling (which even Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent knows was a mistake, per Axios) might explain why financial markets mostly shrugged.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Since settling in the wealthy coastal city of Montecito, the couple aired their grievances in interviews and documentaries.—
Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa,
FOXNews.com,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Iranian authorities have responded by deploying numerous security forces, imposing internet blackouts and enforcing curfews in some areas in an effort to suppress the unrest.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Originally constructed to be a shopping mall, the imposing structure now serves as the headquarters of Venezuela’s intelligence services and a notorious prison.—
Uriel Blanco,
CNN Money,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The Packers are preparing for a wild-card game Saturday night in Chicago.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Listen to Glaser discuss preparing to host the 2026 Golden Globes on Ripa's podcast episode above.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
In short, those spreading the lie that more high-rise construction and less preservation are the keys to solving our affordability crisis are the same people who are building market-rate housing that only the super wealthy can afford.—
Michael S. Hiller,
New York Daily News,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Last week, the grandmother learned that the disease had become terminal after spreading to her brain and lungs, WIFR reported.—
Sam Gillette,
PEOPLE,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
To the critics, LaFleur is 2-3 in the playoffs as a betting favorite, tied for the worst win rate among 19 coaches with at least five such games this century.—
Mike Sando,
New York Times,
12 Jan. 2026
-
This time, a more emboldened administration appears to be betting that both fear and a show of force will be enough to quell a movement that has become fragmented and disillusioned through the years.—
Paola Ramos,
Time,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The vessel had previously sailed from Venezuela and returned to the region, Reuters reported, attributing the statement to an industry source with direct knowledge of the matter.—
Rachel Wolf,
FOXNews.com,
9 Jan. 2026
-
CloudFlare, an internet firm, and the advocacy group NetBlocks reported the internet outage, both attributing it to Iranian government interference.—
Jon Gambrell,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
However, as the friends were returning from Castle Peak, an avalanche was triggered on the backside of the mountain, burying Thomason.—
David Chiu,
PEOPLE,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The sophomore erupted for 14 points in the frame, burying a pair of threes as Malden Catholic pulled away for good.—
Brendan Connelly,
Boston Herald,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Laying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/laying. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.
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