LAYS DOWN Synonyms: 142 Similar and Opposite Words

lays down

verb

present tense third-person singular of lay down

as in enacts

to put into effect through legislative or authoritative action the city council promises to lay down new ordinances that will force dog walkers to clean up after their animals

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as in declares

to state clearly and strongly at the risk of their popularity, the parents laid down the rules for the party and wouldn't accept any arguments

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as in specifies

to give the rules about (something) clearly and exactly the supervisor laid down the procedure for a complaint of sexual harassment

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as in relinquishes

to give (something) over to the control or possession of another usually under duress commanded the surrounded troops to lay down their weapons

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for lays down

Verb

Until Congress enacts a uniform national ban on partisan gerrymandering, the amendment’s advocates argue New York shouldn’t fight with its hands tied behind its back.

— Jeffrey M. Wice, New York Daily News, 16 June 2026
Instead, the measure freezes corporate net operating loss and enacts taxes on social media companies, digital assets, fantasy sports, tobacco and sports betting on prediction market websites.

— Lauren Victory, CBS News, 1 June 2026

Definition of enacts

Verb

Snowflake is getting there by separating the context a customer declares from the context the platform derives on its own.

— Michael Leone, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
If the school declares an emergency, students may be provided with prepared text messages to keep their parents or guardians informed.

— Chaewon Chung Updated July 6, Sacbee.com, 6 July 2026

Definition of declares

Verb

Neither government specifies how that logging should work across organizational boundaries, because the infrastructure to do so does not yet exist.

— Teodor Calin, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
They are regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which specifies where and how to use them.

— Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 1 July 2026

Definition of specifies

Verb

Could this be the anarchic mind that emerges when the ego relinquishes its hold?

— Michael Pollan, The Atlantic, 26 Jan. 2026
If a player chooses not to negotiate with the Panthers, that player will be unable to sign elsewhere, unless Carolina relinquishes his rights by not offering him a tender.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 11 Jan. 2026

Definition of relinquishes

Verb

Iran quickly responds with strikes against Israel and across the Gulf region and asserts control over the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway for global oil and natural gas supplies from the Gulf.

— ABC News, ABC News, 8 July 2026
Ursuline argues this depiction is factually wrong, and asserts the conference failed to identify any specific reason, such as a provision of the conference constitution or loss of institutional control as defined by the NCAA.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 6 July 2026

Definition of asserts

Verb

If software becomes easier to generate, the value shifts away from the software artifact itself and toward the specification that defines what the software is supposed to accomplish.

— Sanjay Srivastava, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026
What defines her is not only extraordinary talent, but a lifetime of conscious choices – to lead with kindness, to contribute meaningfully, and to give back in ways that have endured, all with inimitable style and great humor.

— Chris Willman, Variety, 7 July 2026

Definition of defines

Verb

Modern life renders traditional digital detoxes impractical, as smartphones are essential for work, banking, and daily tasks.

— Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026
Aside from the gorgeous photos of Clooney’s shiny hair, reviewers with all types of hair confirm the shampoo renders great results.

— Kaitlin Clapinski, InStyle, 18 June 2026

Definition of renders

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.

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lays by

lays down

lays eyes on

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“Lays down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lays%20down. Accessed 12 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of lays down

verb

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