1
as in spreads
to put a layer of on a surface
she lays the butter on so thickly that you hardly taste the bagel
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in employs
chiefly British
to provide with a paying job
lay on more staff for the busy tourist season in the Lake District
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lays on
Verb
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The group of six certainly has a lot to do, and the new compensation program spreads the accountability around.—
Claire Zillman,
Fortune,
28 Mar. 2026 -
Even sparks or embers carried by the wind can ignite nearby leaves or grass, triggering a fire that spreads rapidly.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Wade now will join the renegade row of coaches at LSU, which also employs football rapscallion Lane Kiffin and women’s basketball coach Kim Mulkey.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Mar. 2026
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The worker, who didn’t want her name used because she was not authorized to speak with reporters, has been doing this all without a paycheck, because a partial federal shutdown has halted funding to the agency that employs her, the Department of Homeland Security.—
Roxana Popescu,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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This also applies to bedding—trading a heavy winter-time duvet for one with a lighter material like a linen or cotton percale can be a nice refresh.—
Elly Leavitt,
Vogue,
26 Mar. 2026
-
The iconic Redbird — a name that applies to a paint scheme that’s adorned multiple classes of subway cars — began as an anti-graffiti effort in 1984.—
Evan Simko-Bednarski,
New York Daily News,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Charles was an employee of Transdev, the contracting company that manages trains, buses and hires drivers.—
Anna Meiler,
CBS News,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Meta hires founders of AI startup Dreamer.—
Jeremy Kahn,
Fortune,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Sean Gallup | Getty Images Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday said the country had signed an agreement on defense cooperation with Saudi Arabia that lays the foundation for future contracts and investment.—
Anniek Bao,Sam Meredith,
CNBC,
27 Mar. 2026
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The natural silk cord lays comfortably on the skin and the kelp pendant lends an ethereal touch that is elegant but slightly bohemian.—
Kate McGregor,
Architectural Digest,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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This week, the BTS guys make a grand return and reflect on their superstardom, Rvssian recruits WizKid and Rauw Alejandro for an glittering track, and Underscores solidifies her status as one of pop’s most exhilarating producers.—
Rolling Stone,
Rolling Stone,
20 Mar. 2026
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My favorite scenes are those with Sandra Hüller, who plays the government official who recruits Grace.—
Hannah Jocelyn,
New Yorker,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
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This chilling, starkly beautiful ambient piece draws Nebraska’s marginal whispers to the forefront and smears them across the picture plane.—
Sasha Geffen,
Pitchfork,
10 Mar. 2026
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The five pieces offer, in turn, biomorphic hints of de Kooning, the ragged shapes of Clyfford Still, the bold geometries of Ellsworth Kelly, the paint smears of Gerhard Richter, and something that looks like toothpaste squeezed onto an orange peel.—
Zachary Fine,
New Yorker,
22 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Ed Cripps, a former development chief at The Crown producer Left Bank, joins as Development Producer while Will Mortimer takes on the role of Theatre and TV Executive.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
26 Mar. 2026
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Denmark’s national soccer team takes on North Macedonia in Copenhagen on Thursday, aiming to move within one game of qualification for this summer’s FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.—
Emile Nuh,
CNN Money,
26 Mar. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Lays on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lays%20on. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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