LAYING DOWN Synonyms: 143 Similar and Opposite Words

laying down

verb

present participle of lay down

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

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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

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as in specifying

to give the rules about (something) clearly and exactly the supervisor laid down the procedure for a complaint of sexual harassment

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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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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for laying down

Verb

But since daylight saving time has ended, enacting the law now would mean an immediate one-hour time jump forward across the country, barring changes to the legislation.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Nov. 2026
Procedural fastidiousness has become an end in itself rather than enacting substantive policy.

— David Bloomfield, New York Daily News, 1 Nov. 2026

Definition of enacting

Verb

There are, naturally, a few bones to pick before declaring victory over aging.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 6 Nov. 2026
While the Associated Press had not called that race by late Wednesday and the Republican candidate, Dan Green, had not conceded publicly, Soto sent out a statement declaring victory.

— Annie Martin, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of declaring

Verb

The Nigerian government has pledged funding for the response, Kaseya said, without specifying an amount.

— Ruben Nyanguila, semafor.com, 23 Oct. 2026
The company also says technological improvements across the 737 MAX program reduce fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions by 20%, without specifying the comparison baseline in the announcement.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of specifying

Verb

Verifiable electronic communication from the previous owner relinquishing ownership.

— Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 2 Nov. 2026
But the pro-Israel lobby is not relinquishing its political power, evidenced by its move to give more than $9 million to support Mike Rogers in Michigan Senate race.

— Praveena Somasundaram, Washington Post, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of relinquishing

Verb

Iran has previously claimed responsibility for attacks on ships and warned against vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz without its permission.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Nov. 2026
Notably, the plan (for now, at least) omits a mission similar to Apollo 8 or Artemis II, which involved a crew flying out to the Moon and either entering orbit or passing close by before returning to Earth.

— Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of passing

Verb

But experts believe Kim's sister has been asserting her authority recently, too, and appearances like this week's are part of that effort.

— Anna Coren, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026
Reyes denied the government’s motion to recuse, asserting the facts contradict the administration’s criticism.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of asserting

Verb

Designed by Atelier Invictus and designer Fabio Rotella, the 55-footer introduces a fresh aesthetic but retains all the defining characteristics of the ST550 that debuted at Cannes in 2025.

— Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 4 Nov. 2026
In the long term, the results lend weight to a prediction from OpenAI’s chief global affairs officer, Chris Lehane, that AI will be the defining issue of the 2028 presidential election.

— Peter Hall, Scientific American, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of defining

Verb

The original concept of Duke Mallard is depicted in a turnaround rendering by Genae Grabowski, former mixed media designer with Oak Lawn Park District and now a senior designer with the village of Orland Park.

— Janice Neumann, Chicago Tribune, 30 Oct. 2026
Halo 4, 5, and Infinite used sci-fi nonsense to transform him into this larger-than-life figure, rendering the rest of the UNSC largely powerless in the process.

— Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of rendering

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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laying by

laying down

laying eyes on

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Style

“Laying down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/laying%20down. Accessed 7 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of laying down

verb

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