lays 1 of 3

present tense third-person singular of lay
1
2
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

3
4
5
6
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

7
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

8

lays

2 of 3

noun (1)

plural of lay

lays

3 of 3

noun (2)

plural of lay

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
The New World screwworm is a parasitic fly that lays eggs in the open wounds of warm-blooded animals. Lori Ann Larocco, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2025 Together, their work lays the foundation for a future where clean mobility is powered by the very poles that light our streets. Pranjal Malewar, New Atlas, 18 Oct. 2025 His work lays the foundation for improved weather forecasting, the MacArthur Foundation said. Kelly Meyerhofer, jsonline.com, 8 Oct. 2025 New satellite imagery lays bare the sheer scale of the destruction in the Gaza Strip with two years of Israeli bombardment having turned much of the landscape into a wasteland. Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 7 Oct. 2025 The Oscars have always been Hollywood’s most glamorous therapy session, where the industry lays bare its collective psyche under the klieg lights of the red carpet. Clayton Davis, Variety, 2 Oct. 2025 The Planning Commission hearing, nearly four years in the making, lays the foundation for San Diego to make one of its most consequential real estate deals in recent memory. Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Sep. 2025 Compare this with a largemouth bass, who lays tens of thousands of eggs, of which only a small fraction of one per cent become adults. Rivka Galchen, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2025 The Southern California metropolis lays claim to some of the world’s best year-round farmers markets, and its enclaves of immigrant cuisines—Koreatown, Thai Town, and the San Gabriel Valley for Chinese—are unmatched. Emily Wilson, Bon Appetit Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lays
Verb
  • The new browser looks a lot like traditional ones such as Google Chrome, but puts ChatGPT at the center of the browsing experience and weaves AI into the user experience.
    Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Instead, the country has pioneered a Blue Economy—an ocean-first approach that puts conservation before consumption, sustainability before spectacle.
    Shelby Stewart, Essence, 22 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Auburn’s red-zone defense has been strong, but its pass coverage from linebackers and safeties has been a weak point, potentially creating an area Missouri could exploit if quarterback Beau Pribula settles in early.
    Zach Sweet, Kansas City Star, 17 Oct. 2025
  • Sign up here and bet $5 on the MLB postseason, college football or NFL this weekend and get the bonus bets if your initial wager settles as a win.
    Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Each moment of combat imposes a strain so great that men will break down in direct relation to the intensity and duration of their exposure.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2025
  • The compromise imposes a needless five-step test for proper rear-seat seat-belt use.
    The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 14 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The degree will be awarded in industrial and organizational psychology, which prepares students to work in such areas as human resources and workforce analytics, positions in high demand throughout Southern California.
    Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Oct. 2025
  • As Sean Payton’s team prepares for the New York Giants on Sunday afternoon, a pivot point in the regular season arrives.
    Joe Nguyen, Denver Post, 19 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Trump cannot pardon himself in the hush money case because presidential clemency power only applies to federal cases.
    Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 22 Oct. 2025
  • The law applies to approximately 4,000 restaurants in New York City that are part of chains with 15 or more locations nationwide.
    Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Told no at every turn, Stallone bets everything on himself, holding the line on playing the lead against seemingly impossible odds.
    Matt Grobar, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • This breakup analysis ascribes no value to the companies being under the same corporate parent.
    Peter Cohan, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • This buries the block into the sand.
    Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2025
  • According to the notice, the site uses a misleading logo, charges inflated prices and buries a disclaimer far down the page that does not meet state requirements.
    Nour Rahal, Freep.com, 26 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Lays.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lays. Accessed 26 Oct. 2025.

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