LAYS Synonyms: 344 Similar and Opposite Words

lays 1 of 3

verb

Definition of lays next

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

as in prepares

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

as in bets

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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

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

Verb

In bouncer mode, your baby will be secure in a harness that automatically retracts once the bassinet lays flat. —

Devonne Goode, Parents, 7 Apr. 2026 Between Kelli giving Pinky the cold shoulder and the inescapable tension from ex-BFFs Porsha and Shamea, Porsha’s couple’s dinner lays the groundwork for drama to come while also tying up some loose strings from last season. —

Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 6 Apr. 2026 Here, a light blue base lays underneath bright blue French tips. —

Amanda Le, InStyle, 4 Apr. 2026 Their first conversation is comically lopsided, and McKellen, purring his way through what is effectively a monologue, lays the groundwork for his most vividly inhabited and hilariously irascible performance in years. —

Justin Chang, New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2026 This lays the foundation for a next phase in which flexible perovskite solar modules can find their way into commercial applications. —

Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 3 Apr. 2026 Once Towns lays the screen for Brunson, Castle switches onto the point guard, a crafty one-on-one scorer who chooses not to go at Castle and swings the ball to the other side of the court. —

Fred Katz, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2026 The New World screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) is a parasitic fly that lays eggs in the open wounds and orifices of live animals, including humans. —

Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026 Each year, every female lays eggs with a consistent base color and similar markings, which vary between individuals. —

Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Mar. 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

As is the case in other states, Utah not only puts parents in charge of this complex bookkeeping but also appoints them as their children’s trustees—and all in the name of protecting children’s earnings from greedy parents.

— Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2026
The victory evens the Rangers’ record at 5-5, which puts them a half-game behind the Astros in the AL West.

— Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Apr. 2026