lay by

verb

Definition of lay bynext
1
as in to dump
to get rid of as useless or unwanted a politician who had laid by his principles years ago

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to store
to put (something of future use or value) in a safe or secret place ever since the last hurricane caught them unprepared, they have laid by emergency supplies

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for lay by
  1. dump
  2. store
  3. discard
  4. lay in
  5. ditch
  6. stash
  7. unload
  8. lay up
Verb
  • The Category 4 storm brought 140 mph winds and a 15-foot storm surge to parts of the Gulf Coast before combining with a separate system, dumping over 30 inches of rain in parts of North Carolina over the span of a few days.
    — Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 4 July 2026
  • Add three-quarters of the celery mixture to the potatoes and marinating liquid, dump in the mayo dressing, and gently stir to combine.
    — Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 July 2026
Definition of dump
Verb
  • In addition, the tritium is far safer compared to historical alternatives because beta particles cannot penetrate human skin, and the gas is securely stored in the form of a solid metal hydride foil, eliminating the danger of leakage or explosion.
    — David Szondy July 07, New Atlas, 8 July 2026
  • Big batteries, which store energy when the sun isn’t shining and wind isn’t blowing, are fixing renewables’ intermittency issues.
    — Ella Nilsen, CNN Money, 7 July 2026
Definition of store
Verb
  • That book is a revenge fantasy about the former art school professor who seduced her, discarded her and destroyed her confidence as a painter.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 2 July 2026
  • One of the most direct things people can do is avoid flushing or discarding unused medications down the sink or toilet!
    — Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
Definition of discard
Verb
  • The source of Soloviev’s angst lay in part in growing up with a father who was one of the more imposing, cantankerous figures in the history of New York real estate — a demographic with stiff competition.
    — Reeves Wiedeman, Curbed, 22 June 2026
  • Perhaps the answer lay in what Harris did say.
    — Ta-Nehisi Coates, Vanity Fair, 15 June 2026
Definition of lay in
Verb
  • That meant ditching some of the traditional tools used in vehicle design, like the clay models used by car designers since the 1930s.
    — Andrew Staples, Fortune, 3 July 2026
  • Why singles are ditching dating apps Dating app fatigue is measurable.
    — Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 2 July 2026
Definition of ditch
Verb
  • Marquis says Kidd also stashed valuables elsewhere, including Connecticut and Rhode Island.
    — Eric Shawn, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026
  • Plus, the slash pockets add a utilitarian touch for sightseeing and are perfect for stashing small travel items.
    — Destinee Scott, Travel + Leisure, 1 July 2026
Definition of stash
Verb
  • Crews have been seen unloading equipment from trucks this week — much of it covered or obscured — and barricades have been placed near the perimeter of the arena.
    — Meriam Bouarrouj, NBC news, 4 July 2026
  • The streets have been shut down around the venue, with trucks unloading equipment for the most anticipated wedding in recent memory.
    — Jordan Moreau, Variety, 3 July 2026
Definition of unload
Verb
  • Mayflies lay up to 10,000 eggs in the water, and their nymphs can't survive in water that is polluted.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 29 June 2026
  • Female wasps can lay up to 200 eggs a day as long as a host insect is available.
    — Barbara Gillette, The Spruce, 19 June 2026
Definition of lay up
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.

Browse Nearby Words

lay back
lay by
lay down
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lay by.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lay%20by. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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