LAYS Synonyms: 344 Similar and Opposite Words

lays 1 of 3

verb

present tense third-person singular of lay

as in puts

to arrange something in a certain spot or position just lay the book over there on the table for now

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Relevance

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as in settles

to cause to come to rest at the bottom (as of a liquid) the rain was just hard enough to lay the dust in the air

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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

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as in prepares

to make ready in advance she's laying plans for the charity auction months ahead of time

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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

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as in bets

to risk (something) on the outcome of an uncertain event I'll lay five dollars that you can't do it

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as in ascribes

to explain (something) as being the result of something else an electrical fire that was laid to faulty wiring

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as in buries

to place (a dead body) in the earth, a tomb, or the sea lay the corpse to rest

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lays

2 of 3

noun (1)

plural of lay

as in melodies

a rhythmic series of musical tones arranged to give a pleasing effect the minstrel strummed a cheerful lay on his lute

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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

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lays

3 of 3

noun (2)

plural of lay

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

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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

Verb

Unlike Gregor Samsa who is confined to his room after transforming into a huge insect, the protagonist still has to go to work, a dark and bleak absurdity that lays bare the alienation, isolation, and hypocrisy of modern life. — Deadline, 14 Oct. 2026 This autumn’s training – split between UK waters and the eastern Atlantic – lays the groundwork for more complex workouts in 2027, including NATO’s Steadfast Defender. — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 14 Oct. 2026 High West bourbon lays a warm, oaky foundation for a seasonal blend of crisp apple, aromatic cloves and cardamom, all deepened by the velvety sweetness of crème de cassis. — Angela Hansberger, AJC.com, 9 Oct. 2026 Even when a race is uphill, showing up builds trust, strengthens local party infrastructure, and lays the groundwork for future victories. — Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 8 Oct. 2026 But the archive also lays bar the less triumphant side of Nelson’s career. — George Nelson, ARTnews.com, 2 Oct. 2026 Against this historical reality, Zoe Kazan writes for Cathy turned Kate a speech that lays this all out and that Florence Pugh narrates with the character’s customary matter-of-factness. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2026 The adult female lays its eggs beneath the skin of apples, leaving pits and dimples on the fruit. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 Sep. 2026 The teaser cuts to a cemetery and a coffin on which somebody lays a black rose. — Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 24 Sep. 2026

Noun

Before us, in a curtain of matte black against the vibrant green, a beautiful, enormous silverback lays flopped on his back surrounded by eight gorillas of all ages wrestling around him. — Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026 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

In big cities, people like this tend to pay rent, which often puts them—to borrow some Marxist terminology—in an antagonistic relationship with the local petite bourgeoisie.

— Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2026
As Hal puts it the next morning, the chilling effect is very effective.

— Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of puts

Verb

Once your wager settles, BetMGM will credit your account with up to $1500 (matching your original wager) in Bonus Bets if your first bet loses.

— OutKick, FOXNews.com, 10 Oct. 2026
As the heat settles in, fire crews are remaining on high alert, particularly as vegetation becomes increasingly dry this late in the year.

— Brady Halbleib, CBS News, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of settles

Verb

Berkowicz, 65, opposes Illinois’ sanctuary-state law and believes the state imposes too many mandates on localities.

— The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026
The judgment imposes no criminal fine, although Roberts must pay a mandatory $100 assessment.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of imposes

Verb

The opening of the new facility comes as Merck prepares for the upcoming loss of exclusivity of Keytruda, which is one of the world's top-selling drugs and is widely viewed as the backbone of modern cancer treatment.

— Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2026
The in-progress development notably includes insurance company Lockton’s future global headquarters in a new 176-foot tower as the firm prepares to move to Leawood from Country Club Plaza.

— Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of prepares

Verb

The approach applies manufacturing practices to research and development, allowing engineers and machinists to modify components and processes quickly as designs evolve.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2026
The event’s organizer argues the law applies to contests between people, not robots.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of applies

Verb

But that’s a problem in Bordeaux, a region that bets big on red wines aged in oak.

— Kate Dingwall, Bon Appetit Magazine, 31 July 2026
Told ‘no’ at every turn, Sylvester Stallone bets everything on himself, holding the line on playing the lead against seemingly impossible odds.

— Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 15 July 2026

Definition of bets

Verb

The effect was similar to the one writer Joan Morgan ascribes to The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (1998).

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2026
One automatically ascribes fraud to results that are often predictable, even routine; the other dismisses legitimate concerns as conspiracy theories.

— Andrew E. Busch, The Conversation, 23 July 2026

Definition of ascribes

Verb

Everyone stress-tests the checkout, then quietly buries returns, cancellations and subscription pauses.

— Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 2 Oct. 2026
The winter months pass, long nights, a bomb cyclone that buries my basement windows in snow and leaves me to lurk in the dark like a slumbering bear, and then spring arrives abrupt and clanging and golden.

— Brian Laidlaw, Longreads, 1 Sep. 2026