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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Your success stops feeling hollow.—
Chris Schembra,
Rolling Stone,
8 June 2026 -
There is no single treatment that stops the allergic march in its tracks, but there are ways to slow its progress.—
Dr. Daniel DiGiacomo,
Boston Herald,
7 June 2026
Verb
-
In the company of Charlie and Catherine, Leonora ceases to feel like herself.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 June 2026
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With a simple pair of black flats and a light sweater draped over her shoulders, her light blue satin slip dress ceases to be reserved for special occasions.—
Michel Mejía,
Glamour,
30 May 2026
Verb
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Chakraborty’s Obie-winning turn anchors the show with maternal rigor and restraint, as mother and son test how art might brace a fragile heart; the brief run ends Saturday.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
12 June 2026
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These individuals excel at visibility, strategy decks and company-wide communications, but their actual influence ends just at the cusp of acting on it.—
Dr. Adil Dalal,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
Verb
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Not necessarily that the basketball becomes easier, but each minute is so tense, both teams are so focused and each possession is so tight that the winner is often decided by which team — or player — can execute when the game halts to a grind.—
Rohan Nadkarni,
NBC news,
4 June 2026
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Cooper’s ruling halts those plans for now.—
Collin Binkley,
Fortune,
30 May 2026
Verb
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Currently, Screen Time often acts up and just cuts off access to all apps, whether it’s supposed to or not.—
Tyler Hayes,
PC Magazine,
9 June 2026
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As the rocket’s core stage cuts off, the zero G indicator will begin to float, identifying the moment when the crew is officially in space.—
Jackie Wattles,
CNN Money,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
If the mouthpiece breaks off, try to remove it without digging into the skin.—
Sophie Lindberg,
Kansas City Star,
8 June 2026
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That Sun team, led by Tina Charles, is beating the breaks off the Sparks.—
Kiese Laymon,
Vanity Fair,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Sena says the headlight automatically shuts off after 10 minutes in a bid to preserve battery life.—
Utkarsh Sood
June 07,
New Atlas,
7 June 2026
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So nothing shuts off overnight.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Hollywood has never been shy about plot twists, but nothing beats the real-life drama of two stars who call it quits only to circle back for another shot at forever.—
Declan Gallagher,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 June 2026
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The on-again, off-again couple would call it quits once more two years later when Lopez filed for divorce in August 2024, which was finalized 20 weeks later.—
Grace Gavilanes,
PEOPLE,
6 June 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 14 Jun. 2026.
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