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

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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

With certain portions of the mountain getting multiple feet of snow in just a few days, the new snowfall lays heavily on the weaker lower layers. —

Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 20 Feb. 2026 But after a perfunctory squeeze, her father lays his head on her shoulder in a gesture of affectionate, put-on penitence. —

Gail Sheehy, Vanity Fair, 20 Feb. 2026 The England winger lays the ball off to Odegaard, who strikes it into the bottom corner before the Brighton defenders can block the shot. —

Ahmed Walid, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2026 His case also lays bare a US immigration system that routinely subjects migrants to prolonged detention under harsh conditions – one that human rights organizations say overwhelmingly ensnares Black and brown people far from the public spotlight. —

Kara Fox, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026 According to the San Diego Bird Alliance, the western snowy plover lays its eggs in loose sand with little cover along the Pacific coastline, leaving its nest largely unprotected from high tides and weather. —

Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Feb. 2026 Tenders for the Durra oil and gas field — which Kuwait shares with Saudi Arabia — are due to be offered this year, which could lead to regional tensions given Iran also lays claim to part of it. —

Dominic Dudley, semafor.com, 6 Feb. 2026 The paradox of Gen Z’s willingness to use AI at the office, even amid persistent worries about the technology’s impact on critical thinking, lays bare the young generation’s complicated feelings toward AI, according to the report’s authors. —

Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 30 Jan. 2026 In a video that the Smallville star's wife, Jessica Rose Lee Welling, shared to her Instagram on Sunday, Shlesinger lays a hand on her costar's chest. —

Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Jan. 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

Cathy goes to wipe her fingers on her skirt, but Heathcliff instead grabs her hand and puts her fingers in his mouth.

— Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 16 Feb. 2026
This approach puts him in good stead ahead of next year’s election.

— Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 16 Feb. 2026