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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for laying down
Verb
-
The lack of snow has water providers across the state enacting drought restrictions or preparing to do so.—
Elise Schmelzer,
Denver Post,
19 Mar. 2026 -
Murphy's ruling on Monday halted a government memo enacting the new vaccine schedule, and halted the appointments of 13 new ACIP members and all votes taken by them.—
Jacob Rosen,
CBS News,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In 2003, as the United States invaded Iraq over false claims that Saddam Hussein possessed weapons of mass destruction, Khamenei issued a religious edict — a fatwa — declaring nuclear weapons to be forbidden under Islam.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2026
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While many bulk carriers have strong links with China in terms of ownership, operation and cargo, the actual effectiveness of declaring themselves as China-linked in avoiding attacks is unclear, said Rico Luman, a senior economist at the Dutch bank ING who focuses on transport and logistics.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
What Sheridan isn’t shy about specifying is what’s wrong with the present.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
13 Mar. 2026
-
On Tuesday, Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said about 140 American service members had been injured so far, without specifying where or when they were wounded.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
With concerns growing about a global energy crisis, an Iranian official said Tehran had no intention of relinquishing its tight grip on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway for oil.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
18 Mar. 2026
-
With concerns growing about a global energy crisis, an Iranian official said Tehran had no intention of relinquishing its tight grip on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway for oil.—
Jon Gambrell,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
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But amid the mess of UCLA’s 72-59 win over 14th-seeded Rutgers was a slippery star point guard in the middle of one of his masterworks, not only lifting the Bruins to victory but passing and rebounding and defending his way into the Big Ten tournament record books.—
Ryan Kartje,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2026
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With each passing generation, the personal connection to pre-communist China becomes thinner and less direct.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Emerging Asian markets are increasingly asserting themselves as creative powerhouses.—
Faye Bradley,
Variety,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Consider updating a bio, trying a fresh style, or asserting kind boundaries.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Waddle can be quirky and hilarious — but his unselfishness remains a defining quality.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
19 Mar. 2026
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Kudrow is widely recognized as one of the defining comedic performers of her generation.—
Chris Gardner,
HollywoodReporter,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Her old septic system was not designed to handle the soggy soil in her leach field, rendering the system unusable for six months out of the year.—
Tim Carter,
Hartford Courant,
14 Mar. 2026
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Despite the contrivance, Jewson makes fascinating theater out of this, flipping the archetypal image of the ballerina, and therefore femininity, on its head and rendering it as a kind of weapon, forged by years of putting up with enormous pain, against a world beset by patriarchal violence.—
Lé Baltar,
IndieWire,
14 Mar. 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 19 Mar. 2026.
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