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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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

That said, the research lays a promising foundation for integrating electronics with biological tissue. — New Atlas, 23 Oct. 2026 Unsurprisingly, the report lays a lot of blame on the US, which saw its emissions rise more than any other country in the past year. — Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 22 Oct. 2026 New World screwworm is a parasitic fly that lays eggs in open wounds or body openings of warm-blooded animals, including livestock and, in rare cases, humans. — Kierra Frazier, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026 John Benjamin Hickey’s play-it-as-it-lays revival more frequently chooses to pretend that the obstacle isn’t there. — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 19 Oct. 2026 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

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

The latest Channel 12 opinion poll puts Eisenkot first with 23 seats, ahead of the Likud with 21, though other pollsters differ.

— Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2026
View gallery - 7 images This tiny house takes the look of a traditional mountain lodge and puts it on wheels.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of puts

Verb

Neither transformation settles the question of who profits from women’s pain, much less who gets to control its meaning.

— Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 26 Oct. 2026
The perfume opens with a bright pop of dragon fruit nectar, then settles into smooth vanilla with subtle peony undertones.

— Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of settles

Verb

Florida law imposes limits on direct contributions to state candidates but generally allows political committees to accept unlimited contributions, subject to applicable reporting and other legal requirements.

— Luisa Yanez, Miami Herald, 24 Oct. 2026
Israel regularly imposes restrictions on movement across the Palestinian occupied territory with some 925 checkpoints, roadblocks, earth mounds and other barriers.

— Ruth Sherlock, NPR, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of imposes

Verb

As Sundance prepares to write a new legacy in Boulder, Colorado in 2027 and beyond, the film festival is bringing some hits from its past to the new home.

— Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 28 Oct. 2026
Beyond the runway work, officials say roughly $1 billion in additional projects, including hangars and other facilities, are expected as Selfridge prepares for future missions.

— Hannah McIlree, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of prepares

Verb

The act applies to event tickets for public concerts, theater shows, sporting events and similar activities at venues with a capacity of over 200 seats.

— Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 28 Oct. 2026
Once a community applies to manage an area, the state can no longer authorize new concessions — such as those for salmon-farming facilities — within it.

— ABC News, ABC News, 28 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