1
as in enacting
to put into effect through legislative or authoritative action
the city council promises to lay down new ordinances that will force dog walkers to clean up after their animals
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in declaring
to state clearly and strongly
at the risk of their popularity, the parents laid down the rules for the party and wouldn't accept any arguments
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in specifying
to give the rules about (something) clearly and exactly
the supervisor laid down the procedure for a complaint of sexual harassment
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in relinquishing
to give (something) over to the control or possession of another usually under duress
commanded the surrounded troops to lay down their weapons
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for laying down
Verb
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But her institutional leadership—as a long-serving dean of Yale Law School, and the new president of the Ford Foundation—truly models the moral imperative and practical power of enacting justice.—
Elizabeth Alexander,
Time,
15 Apr. 2026 -
After hearing from many construction unions who said the building of these mammoth data centers produce jobs, Solis struck from her original motion on the table any possibility of enacting a moratorium on new centers proposed for unincorporated county communities.—
Steve Scauzillo,
Daily News,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Noble says industry leaders declaring how AI is going to get rid of labor has sparked a significant reaction.—
Lorena O’Neil,
Rolling Stone,
16 Apr. 2026
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The president has called to boost domestic energy and mineral production, declaring an energy emergency days after retaking office in January 2025.—
Todd Richmond,
Twin Cities,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Warsh’s filings list holdings in two funds that are valued at over $50 million, without specifying an upper limit.—
Matt Peterson,
CNBC,
14 Apr. 2026
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However, Microsoft’s partner portal website mysteriously said his account had been deactivated, without specifying why.—
Michael Kan,
PC Magazine,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
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While the company is seen as relinquishing its multi-year lead on the technology, former Apple insiders said there's still hope.—
Alex Harring,
CNBC,
6 Apr. 2026
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The United States has offered Iran a 15-point proposal for a ceasefire that includes it relinquishing control of the strait, but at the same time has ordered thousands more troops to the region — possibly in preparation for a military attempt to wrest the waterway from Iran.—
David Rising,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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McDavid reached 1,220 career points, passing Jeremy Roenick, Larry Murphy and Jean Beliveau to advance to 47th on the NHL list.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 Apr. 2026
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Other demands from the Iranian delegation included the release of $6 billion in frozen assets, guarantees around its nuclear program and the right to charge ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz.—
NPR Staff,
NPR,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Williams has sued unsuccessfully, though not asserting the constitutional claim made by McCaughey.—
Mark Pazniokas,
Hartford Courant,
15 Apr. 2026
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Chapter 13 and the public’s responsibility Scott is not the only one asserting that the tools already exist for the public to access information under Chapter 13, also known as the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act.—
Mary Murphy,
Twin Cities,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
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His father is a pastor, and Holley calls his faith the defining characteristic of his life.—
Patrick Z. McGavin,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Apr. 2026
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The city’s food cart pods are a defining feature of its culinary identity, and the hub at SE 50th & Division is a great place to start.—
Lauren Schuster,
Kansas City Star,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Antibodies that my body developed to fight the mycoplasma bacteria also destroyed my red blood cells, rendering me briefly anemic.—
Jerome Groopman,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
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Upon arrival, officers saw Long Beach firefighters rendering medical aid to the victim, who was lying in the road.—
Dean Fioresi,
CBS News,
5 Apr. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Laying down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/laying%20down. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.
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