1
as in to spread
to put a layer of on a surface
she lays the butter on so thickly that you hardly taste the bagel
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to employ
chiefly British
to provide with a paying job
lay on more staff for the busy tourist season in the Lake District
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lay on
Verb
-
Those funds went toward identifying and responding to health emergencies and stopping disease threats from spreading across borders, according to the WHO’s website.—
Alejandra O’Connell-Domenech,
The Hill,
21 Jan. 2025 -
Santa Ana winds, which are high-speed winds that blow from the mountains to the coast in California, could spread these devastating blazes further.—
Justin Gest,
Newsweek,
20 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Because the area was littered with munitions and explosives from World War II, researchers employed the country’s Army Mine Action Service to safely excavate the area.—
Sonja Anderson,
Smithsonian Magazine,
29 Jan. 2025
-
With Latinos accounting for 85% of individuals employed in such roles in Los Angeles County, the wildfires and subsequent destruction have been especially disruptive, the report said.—
Marc Ramirez,
USA TODAY,
29 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
The 30% promo also applies to Mexico City and Cancún, The carrier transported more than 1.2 million passengers in 2024 and expects that to increase to 1.7 million in 2025.—
Vinod Sreeharsha,
Miami Herald,
25 Jan. 2025
-
The memo suggests that officials prioritize immigrants who have been in the country longer than a year but who have not applied for asylum.—
Hamed Aleaziz,
New York Times,
24 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Around 58% of hiring managers said recent college graduates are unprepared for the workforce, according to a December survey from Intelligent, an online magazine focused on higher education.—
Nayeli Jaramillo-Plata,
CNN,
26 Jan. 2025
-
He’s also brought in nearly the same overall from the other cities and counties that subsequently hired him.—
Ben Wieder,
Miami Herald,
26 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Learning that Fairbanks was a historian, author and podcaster, Lang recruited her to write for the magazine.—
Rick Kogan,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Jan. 2025
-
Most recently, in the wake of the deadly Los Angeles County wildfires, Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley came under attack for her focus on DEI efforts in the department including recruiting a more diverse force.—
Nicquel Terry Ellis,
CNN,
22 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
But a toasted slice of hyssop focaccia smeared with more of that eerily-convincing not-ricotta and hot honey was chewy and airy, just like a good focaccia should be.—
Carina Finn,
Bon Appétit,
30 Jan. 2025
-
Several voices on the right condemned any comparisons to a Nazi salute — as well as media coverage of the episode — as an attempt to smear Musk.—
Shannon Bond,
NPR,
24 Jan. 2025
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.
Video
Lay vs. Lie
Editor Emily Brewster clarifies the difference.
Thesaurus Entries Near lay on
Cite this Entry
“Lay on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lay%20on. Accessed 3 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share