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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in prepares

to make ready in advance she's laying plans for the charity auction months ahead of time

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

as in buries

to place (a dead body) in the earth, a tomb, or the sea lay the corpse to rest

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 The parasitic bug resembling a housefly lays its eggs inside living animals like livestock, and the maggots hatched from those eggs burrow into their hosts and eat them alive. —

Joe Hernandez, NPR, 29 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 The female mates and, within a few days, lays 20 to 50 eggs. —

Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 28 May 2026 The story lays bare the tensions of acceptance and marginalization that are at the heart of hijra experience in society while also establishing hijras as religious devotees who have divine blessings. —

Charles Preston, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 May 2026 The lower two boxes serve as brood chambers, where the queen lays her eggs. —

Literary Hub, 27 May 2026 Vals is a mountain village (with an elevation of about 4,100 feet) that lays claim to a natural 86-degree spring—the only one in the Grisons canton to come directly from the ground. —

Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 25 May 2026 As the scene unfolds, Rosenberg lays into the comedy, yet beneath the surface lies the tragedy of the film. —

Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 19 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