as in stops
to bring (as an action or operation) to an immediate end
you need to lay off eating those jelly doughnuts, or you'll end up looking like one
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lays off
Verb
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After the initial stomach issues subside, the toxin continues to invade the liver cells and stops them from making RNA (ribonucleic acid), which the body needs to make healing and protective proteins.—
Amy McGorry,
FOXNews.com,
26 Jan. 2026 -
In turn, breathing nearly stops, and its brain activity becomes barely detectable.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The world never ceases to produce grist for discussion.—
Thomas Chatterton Williams,
The Atlantic,
30 Dec. 2025
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Rithy has made several films about the Cambodian victims of the Khmer Rouge era, but here the focus seems to be on the crucible of disillusionment through which everyone must pass when the world ceases to cohere with our vision of it.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
1 Dec. 2025
Verb
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This match is unlikely to quiet speculation that Styles’ career truly ends after the Royal Rumble.—
Rob Wolkenbrod,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
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Governor candidate ends campaign days after revelations Navy SEAL veteran and manufacturing CEO Bill Berrien ended his bid for governor less than three months after entering the race.—
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel,
jsonline.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Should any of these conditions not be met, the contract halts and notifies all relevant parties.—
Matthew Kayser,
Idaho Statesman,
20 Jan. 2026
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Flights at New York City at LaGuardia Airport and JFK faced slight delays and halts Saturday afternoon.—
Nicholas Williams,
New York Daily News,
17 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The drug cuts off access to vitamin A in the testes by blocking a receptor known as RAR alpha.—
Ana Castelain,
Bloomberg,
28 Jan. 2026
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Many girls and women have turned to online education being offered by organizations in other countries, but the nationwide blackout now cuts off their access to that, too.—
Chantelle Lee,
Time,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Mahama breaks off in exasperation.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
30 Oct. 2025
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The scene where ‘80s teen Marty McFly borrows a scooter from a bewildered ‘50s kid and breaks off the handles to make a skateboard is one of the film’s most iconic moments.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Each treatment lasts three minutes and automatically shuts off when it's done.—
Tamim Alnuweiri,
InStyle,
20 Jan. 2026
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Grant leads his mother down the steps as Rose shuts off the light.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
PEOPLE,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The group released two more studio albums, making their final tally 13 albums altogether, before calling it quits in 2022.—
Mekishana Pierre,
Entertainment Weekly,
20 Jan. 2026
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Kyle Cooke and Amanda Batula are calling it quits.—
Taijuan Moorman,
USA Today,
20 Jan. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Lays off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lays%20off. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.
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