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
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.
Recent Examples of lays
Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 3 Jan. 2026
Cartagena, Colombia, extending into the Caribbean Sea, is a wholly Latin American, wholly Caribbean, and even wholly African destination all at once—and its rich history lays the groundwork for one of the most enchanting cities in the region.
—Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 2 Jan. 2026
The Kent-Glo in particular is a bestseller that’s loved by everyone who lays their eyes upon it, including Emmy Award–winning producers and media darlings.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 2 Jan. 2026
Boasting luxe red and blue tones that mimic an antique found in the Middle Eastern street markets, the wool construction lays a strong foundation for a myriad of design styles to take shape above.
—Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 26 Dec. 2025
For example, the female carpenter bee provisions her nest with nectar and pollen, lays the eggs, and then the eggs hatch in late summer to fall.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 19 Dec. 2025
In the final pages, Vassell lays the groundwork for a third installment that promises to be as enjoyable as the ones that preceded it.
—Literary Hub, 19 Dec. 2025
Australian police have detained seven men during anti-terror raids in Sydney on Thursday as the country lays to rest the youngest victim of the deadly Bondi Beach attack.
—Rachel Wolf, FOXNews.com, 18 Dec. 2025
The slim design lays flat to reach under furniture and swivels easily around corners, while an LCD screen tracks suction power, alerts, and battery life.
—Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 5 Nov. 2025
Anna Ortiz, Chicago Tribune, 10 Jan. 2026
Verb
The other is something more resembling that first one’s exact opposite—a dark and broody sipper, punchy and robust, liquid mollification reflecting that the best of the season is now officially behind us, and all that lays ahead is the long frigid slog toward spring.
—Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 3 Jan. 2026
Cartagena, Colombia, extending into the Caribbean Sea, is a wholly Latin American, wholly Caribbean, and even wholly African destination all at once—and its rich history lays the groundwork for one of the most enchanting cities in the region.
—Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 2 Jan. 2026
The Kent-Glo in particular is a bestseller that’s loved by everyone who lays their eyes upon it, including Emmy Award–winning producers and media darlings.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 2 Jan. 2026
Boasting luxe red and blue tones that mimic an antique found in the Middle Eastern street markets, the wool construction lays a strong foundation for a myriad of design styles to take shape above.
—Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 26 Dec. 2025
For example, the female carpenter bee provisions her nest with nectar and pollen, lays the eggs, and then the eggs hatch in late summer to fall.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 19 Dec. 2025
In the final pages, Vassell lays the groundwork for a third installment that promises to be as enjoyable as the ones that preceded it.
—Literary Hub, 19 Dec. 2025
Australian police have detained seven men during anti-terror raids in Sydney on Thursday as the country lays to rest the youngest victim of the deadly Bondi Beach attack.
—Rachel Wolf, FOXNews.com, 18 Dec. 2025
The slim design lays flat to reach under furniture and swivels easily around corners, while an LCD screen tracks suction power, alerts, and battery life.
—Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 5 Nov. 2025
Noun
While the 40-foot steeple of Crown Point’s oldest church lays toppled along Grant Street and East North Street, treasures found inside the 139-year-old church have found their way into new light.
—Anna Ortiz, Chicago Tribune, 10 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lays
Verb
-
The driver then puts vehicle in drive, dragging officer about 100 yards with his arm inside the car.—
Nicole Sganga,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Tonga has missed the past three games, which puts his availability for Sunday’s Wild Card showdown with the Chargers in significant doubt.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
After his death, Pine settles into a requisite life in London as Alex Goodwin, a member of an unexciting intelligence unit called the Night Owls.—
Emily Zemler,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Through meditation, the mind naturally relaxes, settles into the present moment, and grants us access to our consciousness and our own innate intelligence.—
Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar,
Time,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Almost every state imposes sales tax, except for Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire and Oregon, which instead allows cities to charge a local sales tax.—
Marina Johnson,
Louisville Courier Journal,
6 Jan. 2026
-
The levy increases rates on hotel room and vacation rental stays but also imposes a new 11% tax on the gross fares paid by a cruise ship's passenger, prorated for the number of days the vessels are in Hawaii ports.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
1 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
There isn’t anything that prepares you for that reality, especially in filmmaking.—
Destiny Jackson,
Deadline,
6 Jan. 2026
-
The position prepares special reports, determines budget needs, and interprets parole policy and procedure.—
Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
January 5,
Sacbee.com,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
This impressive deal only applies to the six-piece set, which includes five compression packing cubes and one drawstring bag in select colors.—
Emily Belfiore,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Jan. 2026
-
The mandate also applies to Banner Health’s facilities in California, Colorado, Nebraska, Nevada, and Wyoming.—
Center Square,
The Washington Examiner,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
If a new account opens and immediately bets on a single player micro-market, that’s suspicious.—
Eben Novy-Williams,
Sportico.com,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Similarly, if an existing account that typically bets $50 on certain games suddenly places a $1,000 bet, that outlier behavior could trigger an investigation.—
Dian Zhang,
USA Today,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
This breakup analysis ascribes no value to the companies being under the same corporate parent.—
Peter Cohan,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Stirring it with instant espresso powder noticeably decreases the effervescence, before the dense richness of the heavy cream all but buries it.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 Dec. 2025
-
Clark rises, buries a deep, game-winning 3, and looks straight into the camera.—
Devon Henderson,
New York Times,
25 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lays.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lays. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share