1
as in to put
to arrange something in a certain spot or position
just lay the book over there on the table for now
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
3
as in to impose
to establish or apply as a charge or penalty
state officials tried to lay a tax on merchandise sold over the Internet
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to prepare
to make ready in advance
she's laying plans for the charity auction months ahead of time
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in to spread
to put a layer of on a surface
the mason laid mortar over the first row of bricks before starting the second
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
7
as in to ascribe
to explain (something) as being the result of something else
an electrical fire that was laid to faulty wiring
Synonyms & Similar Words
8
as in to bury
to place (a dead body) in the earth, a tomb, or the sea
lay the corpse to rest
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
as in ballad
a short musical composition for the human voice often with instrumental accompaniment
she sang a short lay in dedication to her husband
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in work
the activity by which one regularly makes a living
my main lay is as a general contractor, but I do side work as a carpenter
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in laic
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of lay
Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 20 Aug. 2025
Its generous paddeding, cushion-back design, and lay-flat sleeper feature provide both comfort and practicality.
—Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Aug. 2025
Essence, 14 Sep. 2025
Kirk’s work organizing, fundraising and registering young people to vote helped lay the foundation for the GOP’s gains with young voters, and young men in particular, in the 2024 election.
—Brett Samuels, The Hill, 14 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lay
Verb
Slavin and running mate Peter Antico may be obscure to the lay entertainment consumer but are familiar figures within SAG-AFTRA politics.
—Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 20 Aug. 2025
Its generous paddeding, cushion-back design, and lay-flat sleeper feature provide both comfort and practicality.
—Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Aug. 2025
Noun
The trusty Slick Stick and an edge brush kept flyaways and baby hairs laid to perfection.
—Essence, 14 Sep. 2025
Kirk’s work organizing, fundraising and registering young people to vote helped lay the foundation for the GOP’s gains with young voters, and young men in particular, in the 2024 election.
—Brett Samuels, The Hill, 14 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lay
Verb
-
But Karl Maybach’s greatest contribution to the wonders of European civilization were his enormously powerful diesel engines that gave birth to the very first high-speed trains of Europe, emphatically putting steam trains out of business.—
Mark Ewing,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
-
Studies put misread rates between 10% and 35%, depending on conditions.—
Jennifer Jolly,
USA Today,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
At the plaza, Seth Teasdale was nearby as Kirk flung some caps into the crowd, then settled into his seat under the canopy to take questions.—
Rick Jervis,
USA Today,
14 Sep. 2025
-
The Cortège gestures toward that transcendence, but too often settles for the kind of veiled enchantment that follows us home through our screens.—
David Hochman,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Cities would also generally be prevented from imposing height and density limits based on how close a development is near a transit stop.—
Stephen Hobbs,
Sacbee.com,
13 Sep. 2025
-
In fact, there’s already a battle in Los Angeles over the $30 wage for workers at hotels and other hospitality businesses imposed by the city council.—
Dan Walters,
Mercury News,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Crunch talks The industry split on this issue comes as auto bosses prepare to meet the EU’s von der Leyen on Friday.—
Sam Meredith,
CNBC,
10 Sep. 2025
-
House Republicans’ divisions on how the United States should engage in foreign wars will be on full display on Wednesday as the House prepares to vote on a handful of amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act.—
Rachel Schilke,
The Washington Examiner,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
More interestingly, the staff begins to spread its wings when granted opportunities to report.—
Michael M. Rosen,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Blending ancient Vedic verses and Indian classical traditions with vibrant instrumentation and choral arrangements, Soul Ecstasy is part of Tandon’s mission of spreading joy through both economic and emotional empowerment.—
Billboard Staff,
Billboard,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Ficco urged those who sports bet to use reputable online big platforms, do research about where people deposit their money and be cautious.—
Patricio Chile,
ABC News,
13 Sep. 2025
-
The betting pick is that Silva will win this fight via knockout to keep the Fighting Nerds championship hopes alive.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
One of them was from Clinton, in a message ascribed to him that extended a detailed message.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Sep. 2025
-
In that vacuum, Republicans have often ascribed political bias as the motivation without providing concrete evidence to back it up, said Stevenson, the debanking expert.—
Jake Pearson,
ProPublica,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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As the late historian Barry Rubin documented in his biography of Arafat, the Palestinian leader used a variety of methods, both buying off and burying his opponents.—
Sean Durns,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Early in the novel, Harold points out that authors are constantly looking for ways to bury their true beliefs in their text, rather than state them outright.—
Jeremy Gordon,
The Atlantic,
12 Sep. 2025
Video
Lay vs. Lie
Editor Emily Brewster clarifies the difference.
Cite this Entry
“Lay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lay. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
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