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
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Nearly a dozen cities in the Valley already were enacting tougher urban camping bans, as angry residents complained about blight and public safety in their neighborhoods.—
Helen Rummel,
AZCentral.com,
20 Oct. 2025 -
Working with an enacting bill that has already been signed into law, people could exempt $125,000 from the value of personal property that’s used to make money for their business.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The lawsuit seeks an injunction against the move and a judge's order declaring the president's decision unconstitutional.—
Joey Roulette,
USA Today,
29 Oct. 2025
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This shift should assuage Beijing’s concern that the United States seeks to make Taiwan’s self-rule permanent and emboldens Taipei to take every step toward total separation short of declaring independence.—
STEPHEN WERTHEIM,
Foreign Affairs,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The changes were initiated by the Homeland Security Department, the current official said, without specifying which cities were impacted.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
28 Oct. 2025
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Without specifying the countries of origin, the Russian Defense Ministry said foreign fighter jets were scrambled to identify the Russian aircraft on parts of their flight, adding that the flight was in strict compliance with international airspace rules.—
Ryan Chan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The United States Military Academy graduate won just months after the previous winner, Noelia Voigt, shocked the world by relinquishing her crown, a bombshell action that was also taken by her younger counterpart, Miss Teen USA 2023.—
Alma Cooper,
PEOPLE,
24 Oct. 2025
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In Madagascar, Rajoelina has shown no signs of relinquishing power following his removal.—
Nimi Princewill,
CNN Money,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
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McVay’s offense inspired imitators as his assistant coaches spread across the NFL over the next few seasons, and while new defensive schemes famously evolved to counter it, 11 personnel seemed a permanent fixture of a league hell-bent on passing.—
Jourdan Rodrigue,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
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Missourians love their Katy Trail State Park, the former railroad track turned pancake-flat trail stretches some 240 miles across the state, skirting the river, winding through farmlands, and passing through other small towns.—
Erika Ebsworth-Goold,
Travel + Leisure,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Tehran is likely to continue advancing its nuclear program and asserting regional influence while selectively engaging with allies and rivals.—
Amir Daftari,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
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Violence is for getting your way; for asserting your existence as an individual or a group; for venting torrential feeling; for sadistic pleasure.—
David Wingrave,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Likewise, Kumiko Ogawa’s costumes include character-defining garments as well as elaborate getups for the plays, some of which are constructed for suspenseful onstage costume changes.—
Sheri Linden,
HollywoodReporter,
29 Oct. 2025
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Once viewed as a sideline to his film and comedy career, Martin’s music has instead become a defining pillar.—
Russ Penuell,
Billboard,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Blender, a hugely popular 3D rendering app that works with an associated Blender Benchmark utility, told a far different story.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
25 Oct. 2025
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Thereafter, the Karem Abu Salem crossing—the only commercial crossing through which goods and aid are allowed to enter the Strip—was forcibly closed, rendering the citizens of the Gaza Strip generally, and the north of Gaza specifically, to confront the specter of hunger once again.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 Oct. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Laying down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/laying%20down. Accessed 2 Nov. 2025.
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