1
as in to enact
to put into effect through legislative or authoritative action
the city council promises to lay down new ordinances that will force dog walkers to clean up after their animals
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to declare
to state clearly and strongly
at the risk of their popularity, the parents laid down the rules for the party and wouldn't accept any arguments
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to specify
to give the rules about (something) clearly and exactly
the supervisor laid down the procedure for a complaint of sexual harassment
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in to relinquish
to give (something) over to the control or possession of another usually under duress
commanded the surrounded troops to lay down their weapons
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of lay down
The process recruits fibroblasts, the cells that lay down scar tissue.
—
Alison Escalante, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
In tech, where innovation and competitiveness lay down the beats, being in the eyes of the public can make a difference.
—Federico Sendra, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025
America needs to win this New Cold War with the CCP, not lay down and surrender.
—Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Newsweek, 4 Feb. 2025
Meanwhile, its dense bristles pick up and lay down makeup products with ease.
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lay down
Alison Escalante, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
In tech, where innovation and competitiveness lay down the beats, being in the eyes of the public can make a difference.
—Federico Sendra, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025
America needs to win this New Cold War with the CCP, not lay down and surrender.
—Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Newsweek, 4 Feb. 2025
Meanwhile, its dense bristles pick up and lay down makeup products with ease.
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lay down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lay down
Verb
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The Florida Sheriff's Association announced in February that all county jails had signed agreements in compliance with a state law enacted in 2022.—
Julia Ingram,
CBS News,
18 Apr. 2025
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Republicans are hoping to raise the nation’s borrowing limit, which caps how much money the Treasury Department can owe to pay the country’s bills, by up to $5 trillion this year as part of a larger package to extend expiring tax cuts enacted through Trump’s signature 2017 tax law.—
Aris Folley,
The Hill,
18 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Medford Police Department At 6:43 a.m., Medford, Oregon, police officers are dispatched to Aaron Friar's home for a welfare check and a missing persons case is declared.—
Megan Kelly Brown,
CBS News,
18 Apr. 2025
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Xi Jinping has declared unification inevitable—by force if necessary.—
Nicholas Creel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The bill also gives the Office of the Secretary of Family and Social Services various requirements, including those to report specified Medicaid data to the Medicaid oversight committee.—
Alexandra Kukulka,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Apr. 2025
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Markle did not specify which of her pregnancies was followed by postpartum preeclampsia, but the conversation—a glimpse behind the curtain—is an honest and vulnerable one.—
Morgan Fargo,
Vogue,
8 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The New York congresswoman had relinquished her No. 4 leadership slot as House Republican Conference Chair since she had been named Trump’s UN pick, and Rep. Lisa McClain (R-Mich.) was elected in her place.—
Emily Brooks,
The Hill,
9 Apr. 2025
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So Paul relinquished the same number of sacks and just one less pressure in 272 fewer pass blocking snaps than Armstead played.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
7 Apr. 2025
Verb
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On Capitol Hill, details are still under wraps as Republican lawmakers this year try to pass a major tax and spending bill that is seen as the primary vehicle for Trump's second-term agenda.—
Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy,
USA Today,
18 Apr. 2025
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These engines, which the team says can carry safe and nontoxic propellant, work by the spacecraft passing an electric current through water to create stores of high-pressure hydrogen and oxygen.—
Monisha Ravisetti,
Space.com,
18 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Plaintiffs’ counsel offered a brief rationale in their motion to approve the deal, asserting that the CFP is an affiliated entity of the defendants, which include the NCAA and the quintet of athletic conferences formerly known as the Power Five.—
Daniel Libit,
Sportico.com,
11 Apr. 2025
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Indeed, numerous Israeli political leaders express sympathy for Palestinians and assert that Israelis can only be secure when Palestinians are free.—
Raja Krishnamoorthi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The rebels have loosely defined what constitutes an Israeli ship, meaning many vessels could be targeted, some of which have had little or no connection to Israel.—
Jon Gambrell,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Apr. 2025
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Strategic decisions made now, around technology investments, partnerships, and customer education, could determine whether a bank remains competitive in a world increasingly defined by digital currency frameworks. 5.—
Zennon Kapron,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Today, digital cameras have rendered round-the-clock observations of the night sky both practical and affordable.—
Patrick M. Shober,
The Conversation,
14 Apr. 2025
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The Alliance would seek to deter and defeat offensive space capabilities, condemn any attempts to render space unusable in international fora, and impose tangible violations that include sanctions—from export controls on the low end to military action on the high end.—
Andrew Hanna,
Time,
13 Apr. 2025
Video
Lay vs. Lie
Editor Emily Brewster clarifies the difference.
Cite this Entry
“Lay down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lay%20down. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
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