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
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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
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4
as in to prepare
to make ready in advance
she's laying plans for the charity auction months ahead of time
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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
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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
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8
as in to bury
to place (a dead body) in the earth, a tomb, or the sea
lay the corpse to rest
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in laic
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of lay
Cameron Pugh, The Christian Science Monitor, 22 July 2024
These courts, which sat every week under trees and in village courtyards across Rwanda, heard more than one million cases and were overseen by lay judges who could hand down sentences as severe as life imprisonment (although most consisted merely of community service).
—Phil Clark, Foreign Affairs, 12 Dec. 2017
Joseph Marchelewski, Forbes, 9 Sep. 2024
Popular tech bloggers can help simplify your product for lay audiences.
—Jessica Wong, Forbes, 16 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for lay 
Noun
Sources: Politico, Reuters Group therapy led by lay counselors is helping to combat depression
In Zambia, only about 25 psychologists and psychiatrists serve a population of 20 million.
—Cameron Pugh, The Christian Science Monitor, 22 July 2024
These courts, which sat every week under trees and in village courtyards across Rwanda, heard more than one million cases and were overseen by lay judges who could hand down sentences as severe as life imprisonment (although most consisted merely of community service).
—Phil Clark, Foreign Affairs, 12 Dec. 2017
Adjective
The best choice would be someone the public and media can relate to, possibly someone on the church leadership team who is a lay leader.
—Joseph Marchelewski, Forbes, 9 Sep. 2024
Popular tech bloggers can help simplify your product for lay audiences.
—Jessica Wong, Forbes, 16 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for lay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lay
Verb
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The rest of it is going to be put toward actually making his music a success.Michael Saponara, Billboard, 17 Jan. 2025
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However, parents provided detailed posts on social media which stated that the district will be split at the Union Pacific Railroad line along Denton Highway, which is the Keller Fort Worth border, which puts 27 of the 42 schools in Fort Worth.Cody Copeland and, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Jan. 2025
Verb
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His father was a research scientist for the Department of Agriculture, and his peripatetic family lived in the plains states, the Pacific Northwest and the Southeast before settling in Alexandria, Virginia, where Lynch attended high school.Chris Morris, Variety, 16 Jan. 2025
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Invitation agreed to settle the lawsuit for $48 million.Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 16 Jan. 2025
Verb
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In 2023, the non-partisan fiscal note for Del. Wilson’s bill cautioned about possible burdens the law could impose.Gary Collins, Baltimore Sun, 16 Jan. 2025
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The Boston City Council plans to discuss the possibility of imposing a new local tax on sodas and other sugary drinks.Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 16 Jan. 2025
Verb
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As Trump prepares to take over the White House, many of Biden's policies could be undone, including his work to deliver student loan forgiveness for millions of Americans.Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 17 Jan. 2025
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The Rotunda is prepared as the inclement weather alternative for each inauguration in the event of inclement weather.Zeke Miller, Chicago Tribune, 17 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Many celebrities, including Spencer Pratt, Anna Faris, and Adrien Brody, have unfortunately lost their homes due to the rapidly spreading wildfires, with many other Angelenos under evacuation orders.Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 9 Jan. 2025
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Rapidly spreading wildfires tearing through Los Angeles County Wednesday have destroyed roughly 1,000 structures and forced tens of thousands of people to evacuate their homes.Rebecca Falconer, Axios, 9 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Blackman isn’t the only developer to bet on the concept — such brands have taken off in Fort Worth.Kate Marijolovic, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Jan. 2025
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Golf odds refresh periodically and are subject to change, including on props and live betting.Jay Ginsbach, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Freud was the proponent of etiology, a backward-looking theory that ascribes our behavior today to our shaping and forming early in life.Tim Maurer, Forbes, 12 Jan. 2025
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Meme culture is rife with examples of how symbols are ascribed new consensus meanings through new social agreements.Aarushi Bhandari, The Conversation, 9 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Carter will be buried next to his wife of 77 years, Rosalynn, who died on Nov. 19, 2023, at the age of 96.Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 7 Jan. 2025
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In São Paulo, where Eunice Paiva, who died in 2018 at 89, is buried, her tomb has reportedly become a pilgrimage site for admirers of this woman who fought for Brazil’s democracy.Alexander Durie, TIME, 7 Jan. 2025
Video
Lay vs. Lie
Editor Emily Brewster clarifies the difference.
Thesaurus Entries Near lay
Cite this Entry
“Lay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lay. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
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