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

That evening, Beth pays Beulah a visit and lays all her cards on the table. —

Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 5 June 2026 Rather, screwworm infestations begin when a female fly lays eggs on a wound or body opening. —

Mateo Rosiles, USA Today, 4 June 2026 Screwworms are parasitic flies that lays their eggs in open wounds or cuts or in the eyes, ears, mouth, nose or genitals of warm-blooded animals—including humans. —

Tanya Lewis, Scientific American, 4 June 2026 The team that spotted him was part of the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee, which lays the ladders and ropes on the route at the start of each climbing season and then removes the equipment and cleans up the site after the climbers have left. —

ABC News, 4 June 2026 Altman’s trip to Capitol Hill took place as OpenAI lays the groundwork for an initial public offering later this year that could value the company at nearly $1 trillion. —

Bloomberg, Mercury News, 4 June 2026 Among them is Washington, aka Little Washington, which lays claim to being first in the country to be named after our first president. —

Caroline Eubanks, Travel + Leisure, 4 June 2026 This high-corn composition lays the foundation for a sweet, approachable profile, while the modest rye content adds a measured spice that never overwhelms. —

Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026 Instead, sources say, Netanyahu lays the blame at the feet of the US negotiators – Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff – for steering the president toward an end to the hostilities. —

Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 29 May 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

Food and drink While many hoteliers rhapsodize about their estate-to-plate dishes, The Newt puts its guests right in the heart of the garden, in its café overlooking the parabola.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
Out of this evolutionary necessity, new ways of leading are emerging based on the consciousness of a connected self, that both embraces the ego and puts it in service of a bigger picture, a higher calling.

— Ginny Whitelaw, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026