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 case centers around the federal Employee Retention Tax Credit, a program created by Congress in 2020 to reward employers for not laying people off during the pandemic.
—
Angela Palermo
april 11, Idaho Statesman, 11 Apr. 2026
Plus, the running water deters mosquitoes from laying eggs—unlike stillwater, which can become a breeding hotspot.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Apr. 2026
The company confirmed them outright and appears to be laying groundwork — carefully — for what could be its biggest menu expansion yet.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2026
Every mammal gives birth to live young, except for a handful of egg-laying monotremes like the platypus.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 9 Apr. 2026
Across the country, such efforts and momentum are laying the groundwork for the kind of stable, predictable supply needed for seaweed to sustain and expand its presence in grocery stores, restaurants, and home kitchens.
—Megan Zhang, Saveur, 8 Apr. 2026
Crews completed laying tracks in Prince George's County last year, and the lines remain under construction in parts of Montgomery County.
—Mike Stunson, USA Today, 8 Apr. 2026
At the King Center's Freedom Plaza on Auburn Avenue, members of the King family gathered Saturday afternoon for the annual wreath-laying ceremony — a moment of remembrance that continues to draw reflection, urgency, and renewed calls to action.
—Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 5 Apr. 2026
Bricks lay at the stand, to signify residents laying bricks to build the community up.
—Kansas City Star, 5 Apr. 2026
Angela Palermo
april 11, Idaho Statesman, 11 Apr. 2026
Plus, the running water deters mosquitoes from laying eggs—unlike stillwater, which can become a breeding hotspot.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Apr. 2026
The company confirmed them outright and appears to be laying groundwork — carefully — for what could be its biggest menu expansion yet.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2026
Every mammal gives birth to live young, except for a handful of egg-laying monotremes like the platypus.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 9 Apr. 2026
Across the country, such efforts and momentum are laying the groundwork for the kind of stable, predictable supply needed for seaweed to sustain and expand its presence in grocery stores, restaurants, and home kitchens.
—Megan Zhang, Saveur, 8 Apr. 2026
Crews completed laying tracks in Prince George's County last year, and the lines remain under construction in parts of Montgomery County.
—Mike Stunson, USA Today, 8 Apr. 2026
At the King Center's Freedom Plaza on Auburn Avenue, members of the King family gathered Saturday afternoon for the annual wreath-laying ceremony — a moment of remembrance that continues to draw reflection, urgency, and renewed calls to action.
—Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 5 Apr. 2026
Bricks lay at the stand, to signify residents laying bricks to build the community up.
—Kansas City Star, 5 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for laying
Verb
-
Some hedge funds and financial services firms are buying businesses' tariff refund claims, putting money in importers' pockets immediately, while taking on the administrative burden of applying for a refund, according to Flexport's Manders.—
Megan Cerullo,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
-
When the Hornets needed a 3 late in the game, Hornets coach Charles Lee chose against putting Knueppel in the game.—
Doug Haller,
New York Times,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
While this doesn't erase the debt instantly, settling for less than the full balance can stop further collection efforts and, in some cases, prevent legal action.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Shopping for designer shoes on sale doesn’t have to mean scouring the internet for vintage and secondhand styles, or settling for designs that are no longer in season.—
Jessie Quinn,
StyleCaster,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
And year after year, the debt trajectory worsens, imposing a growing burden on the vibrancy of the private sector.—
Veronique De Rugy,
Oc Register,
13 Apr. 2026
-
Among the arrested are two employees of Haiti’s Institute for the Preservation of National Heritage, which oversees La Citadelle, an imposing fortress in the northern town of Milot built in the early 1800s where Saturday’s stampede occurred.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Goldsmith said the company is focused on preparing for approval and launch of its drug, rather than any potential acquisition.—
Angelica Peebles,
CNBC,
13 Apr. 2026
-
Meanwhile, the United Kingdom is preparing to launch an investigation into how the merger could affect its economic competition and consumers.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Such attacks range from spreading malware and executing identity theft scams to producing deepfake videos and launching ransomware attacks, according to cybersecurity experts.—
Aimee Picchi,
CBS News,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Cascading types have a more spreading form to fill in containers.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
By launching the new pool, Foundry is betting that institutional miners, which include several public companies, will allocate part of their resources to producing Zcash.—
Jeff John Roberts,
Fortune,
13 Apr. 2026
-
The BetMGM betting numbers reflect the low expectations for the Lakers.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Only Murders in the Building star previously addressed speculation about changes in her appearance and mannerisms, attributing the differences to her ongoing battle with lupus and her bipolar disorder diagnosis.—
Chanel Vargas,
InStyle,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The petition cited recently enacted or attempted men’s sports program cuts at California Baptist, East Tennessee State and Clemson, attributing them squarely to the policy.—
Daniel Libit,
Sportico.com,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Architectonics takes this murky style and plunges it to a new deep, incorporating the bronze gong and chime sounds of gamelan while burying his rhythms in dense, dubby layers of incense smoke.—
Sam Goldner,
Pitchfork,
13 Apr. 2026
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But right now, talk about voluntary workouts and the camaraderie in the defensive meeting rooms is just burying the lede.—
Zac Jackson,
New York Times,
12 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Laying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/laying. Accessed 16 Apr. 2026.
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