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 captures and removes the Venezuelan president, then lays claim to Venezuela’s oil. —

Jill Lawrence, Mercury News, 7 Mar. 2026 Trump’s executive order lays the blame for the stagnation of nuclear power at the NRC’s feet. —

Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 6 Mar. 2026 Jackie lays her fourth egg of the season. —

Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 28 Feb. 2026 And Stu lays the groundwork for the legacy of second-tier killers that characterizes the bottom half of this list. —

Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 27 Feb. 2026 His frame simultaneously lays back and folds inward. —

Christopher Anderson, Vanity Fair, 27 Feb. 2026 That lays the foundation and helps to inform the furniture layout. —

Wendy Rose Gould, Martha Stewart, 26 Feb. 2026 The Warm Place lays claim to being the first children’s grief support center in Texas and the seventh in the nation. —

Rick Mauch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Feb. 2026 Jackie typically lays two to three eggs per clutch, generally three days apart. —

Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 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

Taylor Swift puts her whole tour on [sale], and stuff breaks.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2026
Chock full of farmer's market greens, this casserole puts a fresh spin on creamy macaroni and cheese.

— Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 9 Mar. 2026