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
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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
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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
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7
as in attributing
to explain (something) as being the result of something else
an electrical fire that was laid to faulty wiring
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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
Thailand accused Cambodia of laying fresh landmines following the removal of a barbed wire fence, which was discovered on November 9.
—
Helen Regan, CNN Money, 11 Nov. 2025
Thank you @cyndilauper for laying the groundwork for artists like me to thrive.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 10 Nov. 2025
Deadline hears that Sky has been laying the groundwork for this moment for some time.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 8 Nov. 2025
Her experience and negotiation skills complemented Mark’s courtroom focus, laying the foundation for both their relationship and their future firm.
—William Jones, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025
When the time comes, the females deliver live, miniature toads instead of laying eggs in water.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 6 Nov. 2025
Also, unlike laying fiber optic cable, AI infrastructure depreciates rapidly.
—Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2025
The invasive beetles from Asia would burrow through bark, the females laying eggs in crevices.
—Frank Vaisvilas, jsonline.com, 29 Oct. 2025
Hanging it to dry can prevent wrinkles, but laying it flat prevents the delicate fibers from stretching.
—Tessa Cooper, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Oct. 2025
Helen Regan, CNN Money, 11 Nov. 2025
Thank you @cyndilauper for laying the groundwork for artists like me to thrive.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 10 Nov. 2025
Deadline hears that Sky has been laying the groundwork for this moment for some time.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 8 Nov. 2025
Her experience and negotiation skills complemented Mark’s courtroom focus, laying the foundation for both their relationship and their future firm.
—William Jones, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025
When the time comes, the females deliver live, miniature toads instead of laying eggs in water.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 6 Nov. 2025
Also, unlike laying fiber optic cable, AI infrastructure depreciates rapidly.
—Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2025
The invasive beetles from Asia would burrow through bark, the females laying eggs in crevices.
—Frank Vaisvilas, jsonline.com, 29 Oct. 2025
Hanging it to dry can prevent wrinkles, but laying it flat prevents the delicate fibers from stretching.
—Tessa Cooper, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for laying
Verb
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Naval build-up China has built world’s largest navy, launching high-tech warships at a frenetic pace under Xi’s leadership, putting pressure on the United States and its Pacific allies to keep up.—
Brad Lendon,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
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Even calling it a magazine is a conscious way of trying to distinguish the work producers are putting months and months of effort into recording and writing from what podcasting has become.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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North Carolina Electric Cooperatives estimates that heating can eat up as much as half of a home’s energy use, and with fall settling in, that can mean steeper bills ahead.—
Evan Moore,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Nov. 2025
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Soika, a surgeon, unsuccessfully tried to book a rental car to get to Utah for a weekend trip before settling on an option that seemed straight out of Hollywood.—
JOSH FUNK,
Arkansas Online,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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For those who prefer not to walk for hours under the imposing Brazilian sun, renting a car may prove to be the most comfortable method of touring the city.—
Greyson Ferguson,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Nov. 2025
-
But the tariffs spooked American businesses, prompting a court challenge, contending that the president had exceeded his authority in imposing the tariffs.—
Nina Totenberg,
NPR,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Vietnam is preparing for damaging winds, flooding, heavy rain and storm surges in its central provinces including Danang, Quang Ngai and Dak Lak.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Two or three chefs work right in front of you, preparing each dish in the traditional omakase style.—
Aaron Randolph,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The idea is that these are machines capable of mining resources, replicating and spreading through the galaxy over millions of years.—
Hannah Millington,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Nov. 2025
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Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin directly blamed Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson for fostering hostility toward law enforcement and accused the media of spreading false narratives about immigration operations.—
Greg Wehner,
FOXNews.com,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
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This week’s Club Sportico focuses on a series of sports betting investigations underway in college basketball, ones that could impact dozens of athletes at numerous D-I schools.—
Eben Novy-Williams,
Sportico.com,
9 Nov. 2025
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Sports betting operators have no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage.—
Jacob Camenker,
USA Today,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
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What's really behind the baby bust The reasons Americans choose not to have children are hotly debated in academic circles, with many attributing America’s baby bust to shifting priorities and societal norms.—
Jessica Guynn,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
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But attributing everything to the turnovers overlooks the fact that Michigan has thrown for fewer than 150 yards in back-to-back games against two of the worst teams in the Big Ten.—
Austin Meek,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Junior midfielder Summer Diamond scored first for the Aggies (10-6-6), burying a goal in the bottom right corner off her left foot in the 49th minute.—
Rachel Roberts,
Idaho Statesman,
9 Nov. 2025
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After burying Helen, Carol arranges a meeting with the remaining unjoined survivors who speak English and is astonished to find that all five of them are content with how things have changed.—
Erin Qualey,
Vulture,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Laying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/laying. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.
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