as in to store
to put (something of future use or value) in a safe or secret place
the weather forecast warned of a severe storm, so we laid away a generous supply of bottled water and canned food just in case
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in installment plan
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of lay away
Tom Hyland, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2021
Mac Schwerin, The Atlantic, 10 Jan. 2023
Retailers, for their part, created the layaway plan, which allowed consumers to reserve a product in return for a down payment, with further payments made throughout the year.
—Jay L. Zagorsky, The Conversation, 14 Dec. 2022
See All Example Sentences for lay away
Verb
Yet, despite the tannins, Freisa is not a wine to lay away in most examples, but rather one that should be enjoyed early on, often chilled, with soups, seafood or lighter meats.
—Tom Hyland, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2021
Noun
Putting a banh mi on layaway—this is the world that buy-now, pay-later programs have wrought.
—Mac Schwerin, The Atlantic, 10 Jan. 2023
Retailers, for their part, created the layaway plan, which allowed consumers to reserve a product in return for a down payment, with further payments made throughout the year.
—Jay L. Zagorsky, The Conversation, 14 Dec. 2022
See All Example Sentences for lay away
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lay away
Verb
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That one harnesses Majorana fermions to create topological qubits that are designed to store information in a way that’s inherently protected against many types of errors.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
28 Feb. 2025
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At one point, 36 pounds of gold, purchased as an investment, was being stored on the grounds of Skyview Memorial.—
Richard Halstead,
The Mercury News,
28 Feb. 2025
Noun
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In addition, Americans tend to purchase new phones via monthly installment plans through carriers and retailers rather than paying the full retail price up front.—
Lisa Eadicicco,
CNN,
7 Feb. 2025
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In a social media thread, Ukrainian internal affairs adviser Anton Gerashchenko noted how Russia's Federal Tax Service (FTS) had filed claims against the mine of more than $2.24 million and that an installment plan for the payments was set up.—
Michael Gfoeller And David H. Rundell,
Newsweek,
16 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The serum stick is great for travel or stashing in your purse.—
Celia Shatzman,
Forbes,
26 Feb. 2025
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Take pictures of your screen, emails, or documents using your own device and stash them away in a safe location.—
Selina Wang,
ABC News,
23 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The savings come in the form of bill credits spread over 24 months.—
Julian Chokkattu,
WIRED,
21 Feb. 2025
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Video credit: Ludi, taken from Leipzig Central Railway Station, Germany, and used with permission CNN — A massive chunk of a Blue Origin rocket’s nose cone washed up on the shore of a Bahamian island near a tourist destination.—
Jackie Wattles,
CNN,
21 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The eggs were laid in the nest overlooking Big Bear Lake.—
Helena Wegner,
Sacramento Bee,
20 Feb. 2025
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The Highlanders took their biggest lead, seven points, with 6:32 left in the second quarter on a lay in by Devon Norice.—
Charles Baggarly,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
18 Feb. 2025
Verb
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These bears were laying up fat for their winter’s hibernation, and there must have been a dozen or so of them.—
Frank C. Hibben,
Outdoor Life,
13 Feb. 2025
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Now he was laid up with a spinal injury in the Victorian home of a country doctor, his future uncertain.—
Ash Carter,
airmail.news,
7 Dec. 2024
Verb
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When the smoke cleared, leaving stains on the green that didn’t affect their shots, Scheffler, who missed birdie puts by inches on 16 and 17, came up an inch short again on his 26-footer.—
Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
23 June 2024
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Truman answers the questions put by Pearl’s diners.—
Liz Smith,
Vulture,
31 Jan. 2024
Video
Lay vs. Lie
Editor Emily Brewster clarifies the difference.
Cite this Entry
“Lay away.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lay%20away. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.
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