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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The kingdom’s market regulator is enacting a fresh wave of measures to encourage foreign investment in the country’s stock market after the index declined 13% in 2025 and was flat in 2024, lagging global emerging market peers.—
Matthew Martin,
semafor.com,
14 Jan. 2026 -
California has a responsibility to use all available tools to protect residents and set an example for other states by enacting protective legislation.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The action followed the governor’s executive order on Friday declaring a disaster emergency in the event of a strike.—
Cayla Bamberger,
New York Daily News,
13 Jan. 2026
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There was a time, not more than a decade ago, when John Shorthouse was declaring that the future was here while Canucks fans watched a 19-year-old Quinn Hughes, a 20-year-old Elias Pettersson and a 22-year-old Brock Boeser cycle the puck in overtime against the Los Angeles Kings.—
Thomas Drance,
New York Times,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Putting the murder shortlist in one person’s hands, rather than letting the shields do the work of specifying who can be killed off, is a major change that gives the Secret Traitor a ton of power without a ton of explanation for their thinking.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
10 Jan. 2026
-
The guidelines include changes to alcohol recommendations, no longer specifying appropriate limits for men and women.—
Vanessa Etienne,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The Buffalo Bills lasted seven weeks in the pole position before relinquishing the title to the Kansas City Chiefs.—
Scott Phillips,
New York Times,
5 Jan. 2026
-
Hamas has shown no signs of relinquishing power or its weapons.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
30 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Purdy overcame two interceptions in the season opener to lead a fourth-quarter comeback for a 17-13 win but managed just 127 yards passing in the rematch in Week 18.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
16 Jan. 2026
-
Doctors initiate the process before passing cases to the County to assess their merits, who in turn refer the potential conservatees to a judge.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
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As Iran weakens, a power vacuum is emerging across the Middle East — and Saudi Arabia is moving to fill it by recalibrating relations with former rivals, hedging global partnerships and asserting a more independent foreign policy, according to several experts.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
13 Jan. 2026
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Powell argued that the DOJ is using the renovation and Congress’ oversight role of the Fed as a pretext for its probe, asserting the inquiry is because of his refusal to bend to Trump’s demands on interest rates.—
Jared Gans,
The Hill,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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This could be defining a commitment, repairing trusg or realizing someone has quietly been showing up for you all along.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
14 Jan. 2026
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Sound control has also become a defining feature.—
Matt Emma,
USA Today,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
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For the white men, the experience of prison was the veil that now concealed them, rendering them strangers and exiles from the world outside.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Jan. 2026
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The committee approved the report in under a minute, without discussion, rubber-stamping false compliance and rendering our transparency laws meaningless.—
Bobby Block,
Sun Sentinel,
13 Jan. 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 Jan. 2026.
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