1
as in puts
to arrange something in a certain spot or position
just lay the book over there on the table for now
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
3
as in imposes
to establish or apply as a charge or penalty
state officials tried to lay a tax on merchandise sold over the Internet
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in prepares
to make ready in advance
she's laying plans for the charity auction months ahead of time
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in applies
to put a layer of on a surface
the mason laid mortar over the first row of bricks before starting the second
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
7
as in ascribes
to explain (something) as being the result of something else
an electrical fire that was laid to faulty wiring
Synonyms & Similar Words
8
as in buries
to place (a dead body) in the earth, a tomb, or the sea
lay the corpse to rest
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
as in ballads
a short musical composition for the human voice often with instrumental accompaniment
she sang a short lay in dedication to her husband
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in works
the activity by which one regularly makes a living
my main lay is as a general contractor, but I do side work as a carpenter
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of lays
Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Sep. 2025
Compare this with a largemouth bass, who lays tens of thousands of eggs, of which only a small fraction of one per cent become adults.
—Rivka Galchen, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2025
The Southern California metropolis lays claim to some of the world’s best year-round farmers markets, and its enclaves of immigrant cuisines—Koreatown, Thai Town, and the San Gabriel Valley for Chinese—are unmatched.
—Emily Wilson, Bon Appetit Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
Fleas feed off the animal, then the female lays eggs in the fur.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 18 Sep. 2025
The Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest claims to hold this title, though an Oktoberfest in Brazil also lays claim to it.
—Don Tse, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Daijahn Anthony lays a big hit on Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels to force a fumble in Ole Miss' 2023 win over LSU.
—Mark Kern, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
Good Night, and Good Luck lays that out in black and white.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Sep. 2025
This new study lays the groundwork for more research.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 17 Sep. 2025
Verb
The Planning Commission hearing, nearly four years in the making, lays the foundation for San Diego to make one of its most consequential real estate deals in recent memory.
—Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Sep. 2025
Compare this with a largemouth bass, who lays tens of thousands of eggs, of which only a small fraction of one per cent become adults.
—Rivka Galchen, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2025
The Southern California metropolis lays claim to some of the world’s best year-round farmers markets, and its enclaves of immigrant cuisines—Koreatown, Thai Town, and the San Gabriel Valley for Chinese—are unmatched.
—Emily Wilson, Bon Appetit Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
Fleas feed off the animal, then the female lays eggs in the fur.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 18 Sep. 2025
The Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest claims to hold this title, though an Oktoberfest in Brazil also lays claim to it.
—Don Tse, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Daijahn Anthony lays a big hit on Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels to force a fumble in Ole Miss' 2023 win over LSU.
—Mark Kern, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
Good Night, and Good Luck lays that out in black and white.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Sep. 2025
This new study lays the groundwork for more research.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 17 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lays
Verb
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As advertisers trim spend and Trump puts late night in his crosshairs, the costs of these TV programs are coming under the microscope.—
Lillian Rizzo,
CNBC,
1 Oct. 2025
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Whether that puts your eyes onto your career and public image, your personal connections, or even a new hobby or interest, let this encourage you to lead full force in that direction with vulnerability and inspiration.—
Meghan Rose,
Glamour,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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But today, Don Swift settles all family business.—
Rolling Stone,
Rolling Stone,
3 Oct. 2025
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Get a FanCash refund if your bet settles as a loss.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The bill then imposes strict bail guidelines for those who have previously been convicted of violent offenses, and even for first-time offenders.—
Peter D'Abrosca,
FOXNews.com,
26 Sep. 2025
-
The board's removal order imposes daily civil penalties of $998 for each day Guevara hasn’t left the country.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
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La Galerie du 19M Tokyo, which opens to the public on Tuesday, underlines the importance of skilled labor in the face of AI, generational transition and debate about the value of luxury goods, as the house prepares for the first show by its new artistic director Matthieu Blazy.—
Joelle Diderich,
Footwear News,
29 Sep. 2025
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The acquisition announcement comes as MSNBC prepares to split from NBC as part of parent company Comcast’s move to spin off its cable properties into a separate company, to be called Versant.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The Slim Denim The same principle applies to slim denim which, in a classic blue wash, is a more polished take on your typical pair of skinny jeans.—
Christina Holevas,
Vogue,
1 Oct. 2025
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This advice applies to almost all evergreen shrubs like hollies, boxwoods, and myrtles.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Told no at every turn, Stallone bets everything on himself, holding the line on playing the lead against seemingly impossible odds.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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This breakup analysis ascribes no value to the companies being under the same corporate parent.—
Peter Cohan,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
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According to the notice, the site uses a misleading logo, charges inflated prices and buries a disclaimer far down the page that does not meet state requirements.—
Nour Rahal,
Freep.com,
26 Sep. 2025
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Decades of work is on the line as the administration strips funding, guts agencies, scrubs resources and buries datasets.—
Zack Savitsky,
Quanta Magazine,
15 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lays.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lays. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
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