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
Blair Crosby,
AJC.com,
5 July 2026
Watching a mother turtle haul herself ashore under a canopy of stars to lay her eggs is a truly primal and humbling sight.
—
Stacey Leasca,
Travel + Leisure,
5 July 2026
Robert Rubsam,
The Atlantic,
26 Mar. 2026
There is Muslim representation on the group's advisory board of lay leaders.
—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lay
Verb
The space is cozy and laid back, with an atmosphere that encourages guests to settle in for a drink or two.
—
Blair Crosby,
AJC.com,
5 July 2026
Watching a mother turtle haul herself ashore under a canopy of stars to lay her eggs is a truly primal and humbling sight.
—
Stacey Leasca,
Travel + Leisure,
5 July 2026
Adjective
This story is told by an unnamed narrator, an irreligious woman who has joined the nuns as a lay resident after her faith in environmental advocacy crumbled.
—
Robert Rubsam,
The Atlantic,
26 Mar. 2026
There is Muslim representation on the group's advisory board of lay leaders.
—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lay
Verb
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In his fifth-inning at-bat, Stephenson was on the other side of two successful challenges by Rutschman that put him down 1-2 in the count instead of up 3-0.
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Go on, put the 131-cube (2,147 cc) monster engine into that one.
Verb
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Gendron said his ancestors were among the first outsiders to settle the island in the 1700s, when three brothers, fur traders all, left Canada and followed the Mississippi south.
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The space is cozy and laid back, with an atmosphere that encourages guests to settle in for a drink or two.
Verb
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Instead of doubling down on a flawed system, policymakers can make gradual changes by introducing new tax categories in the existing framework and imposing taxes that correspond to the alcoholic content of that category.
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The question is whether Congress imposes clear rules on these deals before ad hoc dealmaking hardens into a permanent industrial policy run by the executive branch alone.
Verb
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Jakucionis addressed the deal while preparing for his current work with Lithuania’s national team in World Cup qualifying.
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Atop the bar cart is a stainless steel surface coated in a satin finish, which provides a sleek place to prepare appetizers and meals and an easy-to-clean surface.
Verb
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Flames raced through rows of vehicles at a Rancho Cordova salvage yard Friday evening, engulfing between 50 and 100 vehicles before more than 70 firefighters contained the blaze and kept it from spreading to neighboring businesses.
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If using grounds, apply in 1 to 2-inch deep layers and make sure the coffee is spread in an unbroken line so slugs and snails won’t cross it.
Verb
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In March, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel filed a lawsuit against Kalshi for allegedly violating the state's Lawful Sports Betting Act by allowing residents to participate in sports betting under the form of trading event contracts.
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Still, Beijing is betting billions of dollars on humanoid robots as a strategic technology that could increase productivity as economic growth slows and its workforce shrinks.
Verb
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What possible justification can there be for using those date windows, when there’s no reasonable way to ascribe any of the trends to a policy that has not yet been able to see results, due to the lengthy incubation period?
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Climbers die at a frightening rate, but the deaths are almost always ascribed to errors and accidents.
Verb
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But instead of trying to make the turn, Diene laid the ball off for Baker, who buried a one-timer into the left side of the net.
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In addition, the group plans to bury a time capsule on July 4 in Philadelphia to be opened on America's 500th birthday in 2276.
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 Jul. 2026.
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