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
Lori Ann Larocco, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2025
Together, their work lays the foundation for a future where clean mobility is powered by the very poles that light our streets.
—Pranjal Malewar, New Atlas, 18 Oct. 2025
His work lays the foundation for improved weather forecasting, the MacArthur Foundation said.
—Kelly Meyerhofer, jsonline.com, 8 Oct. 2025
New satellite imagery lays bare the sheer scale of the destruction in the Gaza Strip with two years of Israeli bombardment having turned much of the landscape into a wasteland.
—Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 7 Oct. 2025
The Oscars have always been Hollywood’s most glamorous therapy session, where the industry lays bare its collective psyche under the klieg lights of the red carpet.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 2 Oct. 2025
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
Verb
The New World screwworm is a parasitic fly that lays eggs in the open wounds of warm-blooded animals.
—Lori Ann Larocco, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2025
Together, their work lays the foundation for a future where clean mobility is powered by the very poles that light our streets.
—Pranjal Malewar, New Atlas, 18 Oct. 2025
His work lays the foundation for improved weather forecasting, the MacArthur Foundation said.
—Kelly Meyerhofer, jsonline.com, 8 Oct. 2025
New satellite imagery lays bare the sheer scale of the destruction in the Gaza Strip with two years of Israeli bombardment having turned much of the landscape into a wasteland.
—Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 7 Oct. 2025
The Oscars have always been Hollywood’s most glamorous therapy session, where the industry lays bare its collective psyche under the klieg lights of the red carpet.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 2 Oct. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lays
Verb
-
The new browser looks a lot like traditional ones such as Google Chrome, but puts ChatGPT at the center of the browsing experience and weaves AI into the user experience.—
Beatrice Nolan,
Fortune,
22 Oct. 2025
-
Instead, the country has pioneered a Blue Economy—an ocean-first approach that puts conservation before consumption, sustainability before spectacle.—
Shelby Stewart,
Essence,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Auburn’s red-zone defense has been strong, but its pass coverage from linebackers and safeties has been a weak point, potentially creating an area Missouri could exploit if quarterback Beau Pribula settles in early.—
Zach Sweet,
Kansas City Star,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Sign up here and bet $5 on the MLB postseason, college football or NFL this weekend and get the bonus bets if your initial wager settles as a win.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Each moment of combat imposes a strain so great that men will break down in direct relation to the intensity and duration of their exposure.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Oct. 2025
-
The compromise imposes a needless five-step test for proper rear-seat seat-belt use.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The degree will be awarded in industrial and organizational psychology, which prepares students to work in such areas as human resources and workforce analytics, positions in high demand throughout Southern California.—
Gary Robbins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 Oct. 2025
-
As Sean Payton’s team prepares for the New York Giants on Sunday afternoon, a pivot point in the regular season arrives.—
Joe Nguyen,
Denver Post,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Trump cannot pardon himself in the hush money case because presidential clemency power only applies to federal cases.—
Kinsey Crowley,
USA Today,
22 Oct. 2025
-
The law applies to approximately 4,000 restaurants in New York City that are part of chains with 15 or more locations nationwide.—
Marni Rose McFall,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Told no at every turn, Stallone bets everything on himself, holding the line on playing the lead against seemingly impossible odds.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
7 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
-
This buries the block into the sand.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Oct. 2025
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Lays.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lays. Accessed 26 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share