1
as in applying
to put a layer of on a surface
she lays the butter on so thickly that you hardly taste the bagel
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in employing
chiefly British
to provide with a paying job
lay on more staff for the busy tourist season in the Lake District
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for laying on
Verb
-
Individuals applying for Social Security after age 65 should be aware that Medicare Part A may be backdated up to six months, and contributions made during that lookback period are subject to a 6% IRS excise tax per year until corrected.—
Allison Palmer,
Sacbee.com,
6 Mar. 2026 -
Use a slow-release, granular fertilizer, applying at the rate recommended on the bag or by your local extension office.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In 2015, the staff of Bernie Sanders, who had begun campaigning for President, asked Friedmann for advice on a bill that would have banned the federal government from employing private-prison companies.—
James Verini,
New Yorker,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Smith said Microsoft is employing electricians who are commuting from as far as 75 miles away from their job sites—or even temporarily relocating to fill roles.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
On Saturday, March 7, demonstrations will be held in cities nationwide, pushing for people of all walks of life to stand together in protecting and spreading awareness for victims of human trafficking.—
Elaine Rojas-Castillo,
CBS News,
6 Mar. 2026
-
The arrangement did not prevent rumors from spreading, however, and becoming a major distraction for the department.—
Michael Scherer,
The Atlantic,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Mass layoffs in the tech industry started in 2022, after a hiring surge during the pandemic, when demand for online services increased as people were stuck at home.—
Queenie Wong,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
-
The conditions that apparently make reskilling cheaper than hiring at Standard Chartered may not be replicable at scale across industries.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Anderson has countersued and accused Burkle of smearing his reputation amid a separate business dispute.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
6 Mar. 2026
-
When smearing peanut butter on bread, the robot watches the knife deflect down and crush the bread and judges forces from that.—
Deni Ellis Béchard,
Scientific American,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The league will be led by volunteer coaches, with a focus on recruiting women and members of local high school flag football programs.—
Pioneer Press,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Fields was among his suitors, but but set a high bar, based on his experience recruiting South Africans.—
Edgar Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Grimes’s narrative is raw and unsparing, laying bare not only relentless physical violence but also psychological trauma with no time or refuge to heal.—
Regina E. Mason,
The Atlantic,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Staging and laying groundwork are excellent uses of days that don’t facilitate successful beginnings.—
Magi Helena,
Dallas Morning News,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Rocky, who has explored his sartorial aspirations in recent years by cochairing the 2025 Met Gala and taking on positions at Ray-Ban and Puma, was on trial a year ago for a 2021 shooting involving former friend A$AP Relli.—
KiMi Robinson,
USA Today,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Kimber White, president of the National Association of Mortgage Brokers, credited Congress for taking on housing.—
Michael Smolens,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Mar. 2026
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.
Cite this Entry
“Laying on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/laying%20on. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
