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
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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
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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
Within months the Royal Navy had imposed an embargo on Iranian oil, and officials were laying plans for a secret invasion.
—
Andrew Arsan, The New York Review of Books, 6 June 2026
As of June 6, Platner stands accused of laying hands on one named woman, and of intimidating behavior against two other women who thus far have not been named.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 6 June 2026
The idea started after the pandemic, because the company had used bourbon barrels laying around.
—Chris Tye, CBS News, 6 June 2026
The sources described it as a preliminary operation laying the groundwork for additional steps by installing listening devices and intelligence equipment in the area.
—Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 5 June 2026
Anthropic and OpenAI are both laying the groundwork for IPOs that could come as soon as late 2026.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 2 June 2026
Congress has already begun laying the groundwork for this vision.
—Jessica Turner, USA Today, 1 June 2026
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
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
Andrew Arsan, The New York Review of Books, 6 June 2026
As of June 6, Platner stands accused of laying hands on one named woman, and of intimidating behavior against two other women who thus far have not been named.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 6 June 2026
The idea started after the pandemic, because the company had used bourbon barrels laying around.
—Chris Tye, CBS News, 6 June 2026
The sources described it as a preliminary operation laying the groundwork for additional steps by installing listening devices and intelligence equipment in the area.
—Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 5 June 2026
Anthropic and OpenAI are both laying the groundwork for IPOs that could come as soon as late 2026.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 2 June 2026
Congress has already begun laying the groundwork for this vision.
—Jessica Turner, USA Today, 1 June 2026
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
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
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
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But just outside George Town, that same shoreline also supports residences built not for checking in, but settling in.—
Spencer Elliott,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2026
-
Ferraro’s Ristorante, Stage Door Casino, Battista’s Hole in the Wall, and Ellis Island all pursued legal action, with race officials ultimately settling each case out of court, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.—
Madeline Coleman,
New York Times,
4 June 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
-
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
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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 7 Jun. 2026.
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