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

But Mizzou lays claim to the title because of several factors, including statistical discrepancies and a Border War game that has drawn lines in the sand for Missouri and Kansas fan bases. — Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 28 Aug. 2026 Their life cycle begins after female and male dragonflies mate and the female dragonfly lays tiny eggs in freshwater. — Olga R. Rodriguez, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026 In years past, only a handful of divers have been permitted by the park to descend to the site where the plane’s aluminum body lays upholstered with colonies of invasive mussels. — Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026 Alarm bells are sounding in Chicago as another family lays a child to rest after an electric scooter collision. — Narmeen Khan, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026 Instead, pack blazers, dress shirts, and anything with structure in a garment bag, which requires fewer folds and lays flat. — Katie Jackson, Travel + Leisure, 8 Aug. 2026 The Bay of Fundy lays claim to the largest tidal range on the planet, with waves crescendoing upwards of 50 feet a day. — Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Aug. 2026 The video then lays a laundry list of red flags – from apps that collect data on students to those that target them with advertisements to those that may harm their ability to learn. — Aaron Glantz, Christian Science Monitor, 7 Aug. 2026 At 27,000 acres, Berry College lays claim to being the world’s largest campus. — Carson Bonner, AJC.com, 6 Aug. 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

My analysis, built on the County’s framework and precedent, puts the exposure at a considerably higher level.

— Joseph M. Singer, HollywoodReporter, 25 Aug. 2026
This is a callous continuation of the ongoing campaign by the same individuals and groups targeting Jewish people and the state of Israel, a pattern of antisemitism and misinformation that puts our community in grave danger.

— K.J. Yossman, Variety, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of puts

Verb

Adebo could see some action against three-receiver sets regardless, depending on what Harbaugh settles with at the slot corner spot.

— Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 28 Aug. 2026
As the fiscal reality of these mandates settles in communities across the state, the scramble of local governments to avoid cutting both core and beloved school programs like Outdoor School will become even more frantic.

— Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of settles

Verb

Even at the speed of light through fiber, that round trip imposes around 30 milliseconds of latency before any compute happens.

— Jolie Kahn, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026
New York state requires riders of all forms of e-bikes to be at least 16, and New York City imposes additional restrictions, including a 15 mph (24 kph) speed limit.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of imposes

Verb

The curriculum prepares students for future education and careers in creative industries, requiring them to analyze, design and render complex graphics, package design, typography, layouts, corporate brand identities and web interfaces.

— Cam'ron Hardy, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
Her arrival comes as Dion prepares for her most substantial return to live performance since health issues forced her to stop touring.

— Sameen Chaudhry, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of prepares

Verb

The National Weather Service has issued an extreme heat warning that applies to more than 1 million people in San Diego County, mostly across inland valleys, foothills and mountains where high temperatures will approach or exceed 95 to 114 degrees.

— Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Aug. 2026
The new minimum applies to more than 50 unsolved homicides and missing-person cases in tribal communities.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 Aug. 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

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
In line with the science of his time, which said that lunar craters were volcanic, Verne ascribes his flickering light to an eruption.

— Neil Oseman, Space.com, 14 June 2026

Definition of ascribes

Verb

Every trick that gamed the old algorithm is now detected, and most of it actively buries your content.

— Tammy Homegardner, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Hollis buries herself in work in an attempt to escape her complicated grief, while aspiring filmmaker Caroline copes by making snarky remarks and bristling at her mom's efforts to connect.

— Clarissa Cruz, Entertainment Weekly, 16 June 2026