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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
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 lay down
Other alternatives to spraying include laying down cardboard or dark plastic to suffocate weeds, though this can take weeks to kill off weeds.
—
Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 13 Mar. 2025
The ceasefire was an attempt to get both sides to lay down their arms so that further negotiations on issues like territory, occupation status, the return of prisoners and the return of abducted Ukrainian children could then be hashed out.
—Caitlin McFall, Fox News, 13 Mar. 2025
Others are staying vague, hoping this sorts itself out without laying down hard markers.
—Philip Elliott, TIME, 12 Mar. 2025
David Sanborn’s alto wails through the title track like an exorcism, while Carlos Alomar lays down the kind of liquid guitar groove that would define Bowie’s next few years.
—Darryn King, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lay down
Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 13 Mar. 2025
The ceasefire was an attempt to get both sides to lay down their arms so that further negotiations on issues like territory, occupation status, the return of prisoners and the return of abducted Ukrainian children could then be hashed out.
—Caitlin McFall, Fox News, 13 Mar. 2025
Others are staying vague, hoping this sorts itself out without laying down hard markers.
—Philip Elliott, TIME, 12 Mar. 2025
David Sanborn’s alto wails through the title track like an exorcism, while Carlos Alomar lays down the kind of liquid guitar groove that would define Bowie’s next few years.
—Darryn King, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lay down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lay down
Verb
-
One of the underlying actuarial assumptions of Social Security when it was enacted, apparently, was that the government wouldn’t be paying a whole lot of money to a whole lot of retirees.—
Eli Amdur,
Forbes.com,
27 Mar. 2025
-
Illinois, California and Minnesota have enacted laws protecting the earnings of young creators, and Minnesota's law includes a similar provision to Utah's that allows content featuring minors to be taken down.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
26 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
After an over 80-year run reigning supreme as one of the top one-stop-shop destinations for all things arts and crafts, Joann—previously Jo-Ann Fabrics—has officially declared the closing of all retail locations across the United States.—
Elizabeth Grace Coyne,
Forbes,
23 Mar. 2025
-
South Carolina wildfires Wildfires extended into neighboring South Carolina, prompting Gov. Henry McMaster to declare a state of emergency on Saturday.—
Bill Hutchinson,
ABC News,
23 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
The dog-walk area was not specified in our purchase agreement, but we were all informed verbally of the same information.—
Gary Singer,
Sun Sentinel,
27 Mar. 2025
-
Rader acknowledged that not every child younger than 5 is eligible for the measles vaccine, and his study didn’t specify the exact ages of the children younger than 5 who were unvaccinated.—
Shiv Sudhakar,
NBC news,
27 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
She was relinquished by her first adoptive family due to her behavioral issues.—
Randall Colburn,
EW.com,
19 Mar. 2025
-
Britain’s slimmer new Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has also relinquished the U.K.’s past leadership in research and expertise, largely due to pay reductions and restrictions on hiring non-British nationals.—
Sarah Stroup,
The Conversation,
19 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Background Congress passed the CTA after years of discussion over the problems created by anonymous shell companies, including money laundering and drug trafficking.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes,
24 Mar. 2025
-
Aside from waiting until the average last frost date has passed, the seedlings will give signs when they can be transplanted outside.—
Lauren David,
Southern Living,
23 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Her attorneys on Friday asked a federal court in Massachusetts to assert jurisdiction over her case, release her on bail as the litigation moves forward and restore her F-1 student visa.—
Dalia Faheid,
CNN Money,
29 Mar. 2025
-
Related Stories Still, Republicans and some corporations lined up to sue the SEC over the rule as soon as the agency released it, alleging that the agency had gone too far and asserting that the rule is unconstitutional.—
Meghan Hall,
Sourcing Journal,
28 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
But their ability to play is also defined by the colleagues working inside them.—
Carl Anka,
The Athletic,
21 Mar. 2025
-
The original music video is basically a love letter to the sandwich itself, packed with shoutouts to favorite bodegas, playful debates over prices, and the kind of everyday moments that define a New York morning.—
Stephanie Gravalese,
Forbes,
21 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
There is no reason to say that the current challenges render AI’s implementation impossible.—
William Tarr,
Forbes,
21 Mar. 2025
-
That renders every emotional moment (what made the original Lion King so terrific) utterly lifeless.—
Barry Levitt,
TIME,
21 Mar. 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 2 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share