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 godless
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
Dan Adler, Vanity Fair, 1 June 2026
But the lake has steadily expanded, swallowing homes, grazing lands, schools, roads and the burial grounds where Lenkutuk's ancestors were laid to rest.
—Tommy Trenchard, NPR, 31 May 2026
Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 9 Mar. 2026
In addition to hosting health fairs, the network offers educational workshops, resources, health screenings and works with lay people in congregations to share information.
—Cassandra Spratling, Freep.com, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lay
Verb
Before Hoyt Richards became known as the first male supermodel in the late 1980s and 1990s, a mysterious, captivating man from Manhattan laid a towel down next to him on a Nantucket beach.
—Dan Adler, Vanity Fair, 1 June 2026
But the lake has steadily expanded, swallowing homes, grazing lands, schools, roads and the burial grounds where Lenkutuk's ancestors were laid to rest.
—Tommy Trenchard, NPR, 31 May 2026
Adjective
There is Muslim representation on the group's advisory board of lay leaders.
—Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 9 Mar. 2026
In addition to hosting health fairs, the network offers educational workshops, resources, health screenings and works with lay people in congregations to share information.
—Cassandra Spratling, Freep.com, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lay
Verb
-
But now a range of companies are putting AI directly into the hands of golfers.—
Jack Bantock,
CNN Money,
5 June 2026
-
These sell-offs, coupled with the rising import bill due to the surge in global oil prices, have weighed on the Indian rupee, putting it among the worst-performing currencies in Asia.—
Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
5 June 2026
Verb
-
The city of Aurora agreed to pay $15 million in November 2021 to settle a federal civil rights lawsuit brought by McClain's parents.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
5 June 2026
-
McIntire, who settled in on the mound after giving up two home runs, proceeded to tie the game at 3-3 with a sacrifice fly.—
Charles Baggarly,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 June 2026
Verb
-
The House of Representatives again overrode Republican leaders to pass a bill that would authorize billions of dollars in aid to Ukraine and impose sanctions on Russia.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
5 June 2026
-
The House's effort to circumvent leadership on support for Ukraine comes as bipartisan legislation in the Senate to impose new economic sanctions on Russia has languished for more than a year, with senators waiting for a green light from the White House.—
Caitlin Yilek,
CBS News,
5 June 2026
Verb
-
This Sisyphus of Silicon Valley is on the front lines of a rapidly expanding industry of robot trainers, preparing to teach and operate the army of humanoid robots scheduled to march out of nearby factories in the coming year.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
31 May 2026
-
As Guerrero prepares for another season as the centerpiece of the Blue Jays after signing a 14-year, $500 million extension, Bichette's latest comments serve as a reminder of the pressure the pair faced together in Toronto.—
Peter Chawaga,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
The hotel has 277 rooms and suites spread across 12 floors of the 42-story building, ranging from a 460-square-foot deluxe room to the ultra-luxe 2,300-square-foot Presidential Suite, built for entertaining.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
Worthington’s column was serialized, spreading this idea around.—
Jonathan Odden,
Artforum,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
Going into Sunday night, odds on betting sites like Polymarket were favoring death for Rue Bennett (Zendaya).—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
1 June 2026
-
Media companies and sports platforms are building creator partnerships around fan participation products, including fan engagement campaigns and popular comparison sites like Sportsbook Review highlighting betting bonuses tied to major sporting events.—
Ian Shepherd,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
Dropbox's current market cap of just over $6 billion is down by half from the high price on its first day of trading in 2018, and is below the $10 billion valuation it was ascribed by private market investors in 2014.—
Jonathan Vanian,
CNBC,
26 May 2026
-
Investors in BDCs rely on the values ascribed to the loans, since there is no active market where the assets trade.—
Olivia Fishlow,
Fortune,
17 May 2026
Verb
-
Keep the language concrete and avoid burying the point under explanation.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
6 June 2026
-
This is a racist absurdity in addition to being an impossible read of the Constitution, which is perhaps why the Roberts Court has buried it under so many layers of obfuscation.—
Adam Serwer,
The Atlantic,
5 June 2026
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 7 Jun. 2026.
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