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
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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
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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
-
Congress reacts in the summer of 1866 by enacting the Fourteenth Amendment in Congress.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
10 June 2026 -
Perhaps most remarkably, Missouri lawmakers have reserved gun regulations to themselves and severely restrain cities and counties from enacting stricter rules.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
10 June 2026
Verb
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At least 15 laws in 11 states, including Alabama, Virginia and Louisiana, imposed new restrictions on declaring public health emergencies - declarations necessary to do things such as muster disease fighters and clear away red tape.—
Rob Stein,
NPR,
4 June 2026
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Israeli forces have pushed miles into southern Lebanon, seizing control of a large swath of the neighboring country and forcing tens of thousands of civilians to flee, declaring the area an active combat zone.—
Khaled Wassef,
CBS News,
3 June 2026
Verb
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Its Senate sponsor, Chicago Democrat Ram Villivalam, acknowledged more work was needed without specifying what stalled the bill.—
Jack O'Connor,
Chicago Tribune,
6 June 2026
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Calfee tandems are custom-built, with consumers specifying nearly all components, at an average price of $20k.—
Mark Dent,
HubSpot,
1 June 2026
Verb
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Loth promptly went out and took care of business, taking the lead early before briefly relinquishing it, then pulling away down the stretch.—
Frank Rajkowski,
Twin Cities,
6 June 2026
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Consumers are intrigued by convenience, but at the same time clearly uneasy about relinquishing control.—
Jacques Ledbetter,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2026
Verb
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Congress could also intervene, Budington said, by passing legislation that allows a private right of action after data breaches, allowing victims to pursue cases directly instead of relying on state laws or waiting for state attorneys general to take up a case.—
Ashley Belanger,
ArsTechnica,
4 June 2026
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The long days of summer feel designed for leisurely train travel, journeys that unfold at an unhurried pace and encourage travelers to settle in and enjoy the passing scenery.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
4 June 2026
Verb
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Asia-Pacific governments are increasingly asserting control over data produced by their citizens, businesses, and public bodies.—
Leonard Lim,
Fortune,
10 June 2026
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Beijing and Moscow are asserting themselves in the belief that America is on the decline.—
Missy Ryan,
The Atlantic,
10 June 2026
Verb
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That was the defining feature of the immediate aftermath of one of the most iconic basketball wins ever.—
Hannah Keyser,
CNN Money,
11 June 2026
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And edged to the north by the Great Lakes, is a now defining coastal culture with a history that drove industrial innovation, military security and trade.—
USA TODAY Network,
USA Today,
10 June 2026
Verb
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Antiques were restored and put in prominent places, rooms and suites were upgraded with new furnishings and fixtures, the beloved Café Romano got a facelift, and the energy infrastructure was upgraded, rendering the hotel more sustainable and making space for a new rooftop bar.—
Laura Itzkowitz,
Robb Report,
4 June 2026
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The past few years have seen a shift toward drenching, or covering every wall—including, sometimes, the ceiling—in a material, whether that's paint, wood, or wallpaper, rendering the accent wall less popular.—
Shagun Khare,
The Spruce,
1 June 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 12 Jun. 2026.
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