as in abandoning
to stop doing (something) permanently
we warned him to lay off of the cigarette smoking
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for laying off (of)
Verb
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Allen was arraigned on Wednesday on one count of third-degree killing/torturing an animal and a misdemeanor count of abandoning/cruelty to an animal.—
Joseph Buczek,
CBS News,
4 Mar. 2026 -
The last gasp of oxygen evaporated the moment Giddey dug his heels into the hardwood, abandoning the play in his frustration.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Some of the changes mirror what the organization suggested to the Pentagon in January, including discontinuing its Citizenship in Society merit badge, introducing a Military Service merit badge and waiving registration fees for the children of military personnel.—
Jamie Stengle,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Feb. 2026
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Some of the changes mirror what the organization suggested to the Department of Justice earlier this year, which included discontinuing its Citizenship in Society merit badge and introducing a Military Service merit badge, the Pentagon said.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The most effective lifestyle adjustment is to limit consumption of red meat, followed by quitting tobacco use, managing your blood sugar, maintaining a healthy weight, curtailing alcohol use and staying physically active.—
Asuka Koda,
CNN Money,
2 Mar. 2026
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Adamiak wound up quitting her job.—
Tess Kenny,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Benjamin Reinhard, 14, won by correctly spelling the word kenosis, which refers to the act of a Christian person voluntarily giving up their personal rights and ambitions and accepting suffering, according to the spelling bee’s definition.—
Jemma Stephenson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Mar. 2026
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Family members agreed to a conservation easement in 2015, essentially giving up development rights, and have now sold it for preservation under state ownership.—
John Meyer,
Denver Post,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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And the Lancers found their shooting touch, hitting 9-of-13 from the field, including dropping three 3s to take a 32-21 halftime lead.—
Don Norcross,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Mar. 2026
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Traffic through the critical waterway has since ground to a near halt, with vessels being attacked and insurers dropping maritime coverage.—
Katie Hunt,
CNN Money,
6 Mar. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Laying off (of).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/laying%20off%20%28of%29. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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