lying 1 of 4

Definition of lyingnext

lying

2 of 4

noun

lying

3 of 4

verb (1)

present participle of lie

lying

4 of 4

verb (2)

present participle of lie
1
as in leading
to be positioned along a certain course or in a certain direction the train tracks lie just over that hill

Synonyms & Similar Words

2
3
as in hiding
to remain out of sight paparazzi were lying in wait outside the restaurant, a well-known celebrity hangout

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 lying
Adjective
He was found dead lying face up on his hotel bed with no signs of trauma, according to a Monday report from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office in Florida. Kenan Draughorne, Los Angeles Times, 14 Jan. 2022
Noun
Kandynn was convicted of first-degree murder, with a lying in wait special circumstance, according to the DA's office. Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 29 May 2026 None of the ugliness of World's Apart or Kaôh Rōng permeated the proceedings, even amongst all the lying and backstabbing. Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 22 May 2026 His lying has finally caught up with him. Erin Moriarty, CBS News, 17 May 2026 Huang throws the first group dinner of the series and, when confronted with both the rumors and the lying, quits on the spot. Brian Moylan, Vulture, 1 May 2026 The definition of a lying, scumbag politician –– that is you. Ryan Mancini, The Hill, 23 Apr. 2026 Among the many rules at Augusta National — no cell phones, no booing, no lying in the grass — patrons are not allowed to run. Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026 At the very least, the definition of lying must include speaking with the aim of causing one’s audience to adopt a falsehood. Robert B. Talisse, The Conversation, 10 Apr. 2026 Paul frequently accuses Mortenson of cheating and lying, which he’s openly admitted to — after he gets caught. Jodi Guglielmi, Rolling Stone, 19 Mar. 2026
Verb
Soberón Guzmán accused the United States of lying about the causes of the crisis and said the embargo has caused billions of dollars in annual damage to Cuba. Vera Lucia Pappaterra, Miami Herald, 4 June 2026 Mavis remains in Paris, lying now in the Peron family crypt in Montmartre Cemetery, a guest of this city even in death. Literary Hub, 3 June 2026 Police said 18-year-old Jeremiah Williamson was found severely burned, lying face down near the railroad tracks in Baltimore's Morrell Park neighborhood. Adam Thompson, CBS News, 3 June 2026 Two researchers with the National Institutes of Health have been charged with smuggling monkeypox into the United States and lying about it — an alleged crime that was detected at Detroit Metro Airport. Tresa Baldas, Freep.com, 3 June 2026 To Oxman, this was evidence that the family was lying about Jackson's abuse for financial gain. Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 3 June 2026 Locally heavy rain will quickly reduce visibility and result in ponding of water on roadways, standing water in low lying areas, and minor flooding of creeks, streams, and areas of poor drainage. Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 2 June 2026 The criminal indictment accuses the ship operator of intentionally relying on an improper fuel pump and then lying about it to investigators. Michael Kunzelman, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2026 The hair strand is lying flat on the scalp because there’s buildup weighing it down. Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 29 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lying
Adjective
  • Fragmented oversight creates opportunities for dishonest actors to exploit the gaps.
    Sally Pipes, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
  • The election took place amid a surge in violent crime and corruption that has fueled widespread discontent among voters, who largely view candidates as dishonest and unprepared for the presidency.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 May 2026
Noun
  • But in a further deception orchestrated by the Devil, the king’s mother is ordered to kill the queen and her child.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 June 2026
  • Red-team against deliberate deception, not just natural variability.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
Verb
  • Yet while Hiller has been seemingly everywhere on TV lately, appearances in this industry can be deceiving.
    David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 30 May 2026
  • The final score was deceiving because the Rockies scored five runs in the ninth off infielder Miguel Rojas, who was pitching in relief to save wear and tear on the Dodgers’ bullpen.
    Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 27 May 2026
Verb
  • Some riders were mounted, while others were leading horses by hand when the startled animals broke free, the outlet said.
    Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 1 June 2026
  • Many people still see the company as that, but the truth is that SpaceX went from nothing to the leading orbital launch provider on the planet in a remarkably short time.
    David Szondy May 31, New Atlas, 31 May 2026
Verb
  • The person sitting between Sajani and Suvali, Reshma, stepped up to be Sasmita.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 29 May 2026
  • Elder’s sculpture was sitting outside of Bee Hive KC over Memorial Day Weekend when a man who was visibly angry allegedly began vandalizing the honeybee, according to Elder.
    Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 29 May 2026
Verb
  • The woman’s daughter showed investigators video footage showing Robinson rifling through the woman’s drawers, selecting items and hiding them on her body.
    Kairi Lowery, Miami Herald, 5 June 2026
  • Eggs or young cockroaches may be hiding in them.
    Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 4 June 2026
Adjective
  • In the case that led to the large sanction, Quinn Emanuel’s client Natera needed to show that science backed up the advertising statements its rival Guardant alleged were false and misleading, Chen noted in his order.
    Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 27 May 2026
  • Job descriptions are too rigid and titles are often misleading and neither tends to truly capture what people actually do.
    Keith Ferrazzi, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
Noun
  • This week, in testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee, Attorney General Pam Bondi gave a master class in obfuscation, prevarication, and pettiness.
    John Ficarra, Air Mail, 11 Oct. 2025
  • There was no picture, there was no drawing, there has been so many lies, so much prevarication, so much cover up.
    John Parkinson, ABC News, 10 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Lying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lying. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.

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